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The stigma around same-sex marriage has affected the health of Australians. Here’s what happened in your constituency

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Opposition at the community level marriage equality and the stress that got here with it continues to be making some Australians in same-sex relationships sick, even years after the vote, our research suggests.

In a study published today in American Journal of Public HealthWe found that individuals in same-sex relationships living in areas where there was more opposition to marriage equality had higher rates of chronic health problems after the vote, in comparison with people living in areas where there was less opposition.

For example, in areas where there was the biggest opposition to marriage equality, people in same-sex relationships were more more likely to have long-term heart, respiratory and mental health problems.

Our study is the first to indicate a link between opposition to marriage equality and health in this fashion.

It also reminds us how hidden social attitudes can reinforce stigma, which may have long-term consequences for people’s health.

What have we done

In our study, we used two principal data sets. One got here from Postal vote on marriage equality 2017which gave us a measure of opposition to same-sex marriage in each constituency. While we couldn’t see how individuals voted, the data gave us the percentage of “no” votes per constituency.

The remaining data comes from the 2021 census, the first 12 months Australians were asked about their long-term health problemsequivalent to asthma, heart disease and mental health problems equivalent to depression and anxiety. The census data covered the health of Australians in same-sex and heterosexual relationships.

We then analyzed these two phenomena to indicate the relationship between opposition to marriage equality and folks’s health 4 years after the vote.

We checked out the health of Australians living in same-sex relationships 4 years after the marriage equality debate.
Julia Amaral, CEO of JLco

What we found

As community opposition to marriage equality has grown, long-term health problems have turn into more common amongst Australians in same-sex relationships than amongst those in different-sex relationships.

In areas where opposition to marriage equality was lowest (around 13–26% “no” votes), people in same-sex relationships were 56% more more likely to report any chronic health problem in comparison with people in opposite-sex relationships.

However, in areas where opposition was strongest (around 34–56% “no” votes), this figure rose to 63%.

The health of young people, men, and people living in areas of greater socioeconomic drawback was particularly affected. These same-sex couples were amongst those that had higher rates of mental, respiratory, and heart disease. All of these strongly related to emphasize.

These effects continued even after taking into consideration other aspects which will affect health, equivalent to age, income and education.

This suggests that community-level attitudes – in this case, votes against marriage equality – could also be an expression of stigmatization of sexual minorities.

How does stigma affect health?

International studies show that sexual minorities living in environments with higher stigmatization usually tend to experience stress aspects because of their sexual orientation. This includes harassment or intimidation.

In environments with greater stigmatization, sexual minorities are also more likely to have interaction in dangerous behaviors equivalent to: smoking AND drinking to assist “cope” with these stressors. The greater effects we see on lungs, mental health, and other stress-related conditions support this theory.

AND lack of inclusive healthcare Or past experiences with discrimination (in health care or more broadly) may additionally discourage sexual minorities from accessing needed health care.

Previous research has shown that lesbian, gay and bisexual Australians living in areas with greater opposition to marriage equality use less preventive AND basic healthcare (equivalent to visits to a family doctor) than their counterparts living in areas where there may be less opposition.

In summary, we will state that delayed access to preventive health care and greater social stress can result in deterioration of health and, consequently, to the development of chronic diseases.

Such chronic conditions could be costly to the healthcare system. This implies that the health disparities we’ve got highlighted usually are not only a human rights issue, but in addition an economic issue.

Person with LGBTIQ+ flag draped over shoulder, holding a sign that reads
Australians voted yes for marriage equality. But in some areas, stigma stays.
Lukasz Coch/AAP

What can we do?

Unfortunately, discrimination against sexual minorities stays widespread In Australia.

For example, religious organizations can still discriminate against LGBTQ+ students and employees. Conversion practices that try and change or suppress someone’s sexuality or gender identity are still legal in some states and territories.

Structural discrimination can even affect access to healthcare for sexual minorities. For example, in regions where there may be more stigmatization, sexual minorities could also be less more likely to disclose their sexual orientation to healthcare staff because of fear of discrimination.

Disclosure is needed since it results in higher resultsincluding improved quality AND continuity Care.

Finding healthcare that gives access to healthcare could be harder in areas with higher stigma, and even harder in areas where few healthcare options.

We must urgently invest in inclusive and responsive healthcare. The federal government has committed to Ten Year Action Plan for LGBTQ+ health and well-being. But we also need funding for LGBTQ+ community-led health organizations that might help sexual minorities access needed and precious health care that’s culturally appropriate.

In particular, our research suggests that resources needs to be targeted to areas where there is bigger opposition to marriage equality, in addition to to young people living in socio-economically disadvantaged regions.

We need more data

Our research only looks at health inequalities for Australians in same-sex relationships. We cannot draw any conclusions about the health of unpartnered sexual minorities, or any effects on the broader LGBTQ+ community. We simply should not have reliable, comprehensive data.

We subsequently support recent calls for higher and more inclusive data collection on sexual orientation and gender identityin this in Census 2026.

Better data would allow us to find out what strategies and interventions can reduce stigma and subsequently reduce the health inequalities faced by sexual minorities in Australia.


We would really like to thank Ian Down from LGBTIQ+ Health Australia for his feedback on this text.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Health and Wellness

new health campaign highlights common source of anxiety

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For most individuals, the every day or near-daily ritual of having a bowel movement isn’t something we give much thought to. However, for some people, the necessity to do a double in a public restroom or at work might be fraught with significant stress and anxiety.

In response to the discomfort people may feel when passing stools at work, the Queensland Department of Health recently launched a social media campaign called ‘It’s OK to poo at work’.

The campaign gained significant popularity Instagram AND Facebook. This was praised by health and marketing experts for his or her witty tackle a taboo topic.

The colourful Instagram post comes with a caption warning of the health risks of “holding on,” including hemorrhoids and other gastrointestinal issues. The caption also includes the next note:

If you might have great difficulty relieving yourself within the presence of other people, it’s possible you’ll be affected by parkinsonism.

What is parkerosis?

Parcopresis, sometimes called “shame bowel”, occurs when people have difficulty or are unable to pass stool in public toilets as a consequence of fear of perceived control from others.

People affected by parkinsonism may have difficulty to make use of the bathroom in public places resembling shopping malls, restaurants, at work or school, and even at home when friends or family are around.

They may fear judgment from others about unpleasant odors or sounds during bowel movements, or how long it takes them to have a bowel movement.

Living with a digestive disease (no less than 4 in ten Australians c) may contribute to parcopresis as a consequence of fear of having to make use of the bathroom steadily and perceived evaluation from others when doing so. Other aspects, resembling past negative experiences or accessibility issues, can also play a task.

Some people may feel uncomfortable using the bathroom at work.
Motortion Films/Shutterstock

People with this condition may experience anxiety through rapid heartbeat, rapid respiratory, sweating, muscle tension, blushing, nausea, tremors, or a mix of these symptoms. They may feel constant anxiety about situations by which they might need to make use of a public restroom.

Living with parcopresis can affect many areas of life and overall quality of life. For example, victims could have difficulties with employment, relationships and social life. They may avoid traveling or attending certain events because of their symptoms.

How common is parkinsonism?

We don’t really know the way common parcopresis is, partly since it’s difficult to evaluate. It’s not necessarily easy or accurate to trace people to see in the event that they’re using or avoiding public restrooms (and why). Furthermore, observing individual bathroom activities can change an individual’s behavior.

AND conducted a study to higher understand how common parcopresis is. The study involved 714 university students. I asked participants to answer a series of vignettes, or scenarios.

In each vignette, participants were informed that they were in a neighborhood shopping center and needed to alleviate themselves. In the vignettes, the bathrooms (which had been recently cleaned) had configurations of two or three toilet stalls. Each vignette varied within the configuration of the available stalls.

Several scenes showing different toilet configurations.
In my research, various methods were used to evaluate parkinsonism.
First published in Current Psychology, Volume 42, Pages 1762–1772, 2023, by Springer Nature

The overall avoidance rate was just over 14%. However, participants were more more likely to avoid using the bathroom when other stalls were occupied.

About 10% avoided walking when all toilets were available. This percentage increased to about 25% when only the center of three toilets was available. Men were significantly less more likely to avoid walking than women in all vignettes.

Many of those that avoided using the bathroom said they might either go home to alleviate themselves, use an accessible disabled toilet, or return when the lavatory was empty.

Parcopresis at work

In the work environment, anxiety levels related to using shared bathrooms could also be higher for several reasons.

For example, people may feel more embarrassed about their bodily functions being heard or observed by peers than they might be by strangers in a public restroom.

People can also feel guilt, shame, and fear of being judged by colleagues or superiors in the event that they should make long or frequent trips to the lavatory. This could also be particularly true for individuals with gastrointestinal disease.

Reducing anxiety related to using the bathroom

Using a public toilet can understandably cause some anxiety or be unpleasant. However, for a small minority of people it could possibly be an actual problem, causing serious anxiety and affecting their ability to perform on a regular basis activities.

If pooping in the lavatory at work or in one other public place makes you anxious, be kind to yourself. Just a few strategies might help:

  • discover and query negative thoughts about using public toilets and remind yourself that using the lavatory is normal and that the majority people don’t concentrate to others in toilets

  • try to administer stress with rest techniques resembling deep respiratory and progressive muscle restwhich involves tensing and relaxing various muscles within the body

  • getting involved in gradual exposure it could possibly be helpful, which suggests visiting public toilets at different times and places, so you may gain confidence in using them

  • use grounding or distraction techniques when using the bathroom. These may include listening to musicwatching something in your phone or specializing in your respiratory.

If you are feeling like you might have parcopressive symptoms, significant impact in your life, seek advice from your loved ones doctor or psychologist who might help determine appropriate treatment approaches. This may include cognitive behavioral therapy.


This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Health and Wellness

5 Picky Eating Habits – and How to Help Your Child Overcome Them

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Have you ever negotiated with a pint-sized dictator about eating a single pea? You’re not alone. Almost half of the kids undergo a period of picky eating that typically peaks around age three.

Our hunter-gatherer ancestors developed a natural aversion to unfamiliar foods and bitter tastes to avoid taking in toxins. They also learned to search for and store certain types high-energy, tasty dishes to avoid hunger during times of food shortage.

But the food we eat from an early age shapes our food preferences for all times and eating regimen. So what are you able to do in case your child doesn’t want to eat familiar or latest foods or wants to restrict their eating regimen?

Here are the five most typical forms of picky eating and how to overcome them.

1. Eating only beige or white foods

When it comes to picky eating, beige and white foods tend to reign supreme. That’s because these foods are:

  • known – they’ve the colour of mother’s milk and are food products that we normally use when introducing solid foods, e.g. baby porridge

  • mild or with a light taste – they don’t overwhelm the little ones who’ve Over 30,000 taste buds (compared to over 10,000 adults)

  • easy – they are sometimes soft and easy to chew, which makes them attractive to toddlers developing chewing skills

  • harmless – are the other of what our hunter-gatherer ancestors taught us to avoid: the brightly coloured – and toxic – foods present in the wild.

While chances are you’ll be tempted to skip eating chicken nuggets at every meal, a eating regimen consisting exclusively of beige and white foods is probably going to be highly processed and low in dietary fiber. This may cause constipation. and depletion of healthy gut bacteria.

A beige and white eating regimen may also cause a deficiency of vitamins and minerals crucial for healthy development and growth, including vitamins B and C and iron.

To enrich your child’s eating regimen with healthier and more colourful food options:

  • mix things up. Combine less healthy beige and white foods with healthier ones, like mixing cannellini beans and cauliflower into mashed potatoes

  • make healthy swaps. Gradually replace your favorite white bread, pasta, and rice with whole grain versions; for instance, mix brown rice with a serving of white

  • Use familiarity to your advantage. Introduce colourful food options alongside the familiar beige and white, corresponding to offering fruit to dip in yogurt or a healthy red or green sauce for pasta.

2. Refusing anything but milk

It’s no wonder babies love milk. It’s been a relentless of their lives since birth. And it’s related to greater than just satisfying hunger – it’s there after they’re drained and about to go to sleep, after they’re nervous and need comfort, and after they’re having fun with the corporate of mom or dad.

It also comprises lactose, a sugar found naturally in milk, which is why it tastes sweet and stimulates the human hunter-gatherer instinct to search out foods high in natural sugar to avoid hunger.

Milk is related to greater than just satisfying hunger.
Ekaterina Bolovtsova/Pexels

Although dairy provides essential calcium for young children, it have to be a part of a balanced eating regimen. Australian Dietary Guidelines We recommend that children devour 1–1½ servings of milk (1 glass = 1 serving), yogurt (200 g = 1 serving) and cheese (2 slices = 1 serving) (or substitutes) per day.

If your baby drinks an excessive amount of milk, there’s a risk iron deficiencybecause milk is a poor source of iron and makes it difficult for the body to absorb it.

To wean your baby off milk, try:

  • fact-finding. When your child asks for milk, ask questions to understand what he really wants. Is he hungry, thirsty, or wants comfort? Offer that as an alternative

  • first eat solids. Tempt your toddler with healthy and interesting-looking foods, and offer milk only after eating something solid

  • smaller portions. Switch to serving milk in a smaller cup.

3. Avoid foods with the consistency

Refusal to eat lumpy, chewy, or strangely textured foods is common in young children who’re developing sensory and oral motor skills.

It can be common for folks to proceed to mix these foods because trying foods of various consistencies is commonly accompanied by a gag reflex.

To help your baby transition to foods of various textures and make certain they develop the muscles crucial to eat safely:

  • slowly increase the consistency. Start with a food your child likes, corresponding to blended carrots, and progressively mix for shorter periods to keep the lumps

  • stay calm in case your baby is choking. Let him understand it’s okay, and give them time to take care of it themselves. After coughing up, encourage your child to try one other spoonful or try again next time.

4. Refusal to eat vegetables

The consistency, brightness and bitter taste of some vegetables could also be repulsive for some children.

However, vegetables are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber that young children need.

The toddler eats vegetables
Vegetables contain fiber, vitamins and minerals.
Cottonbro/Pexels

To overcome your child’s aversion to vegetables, get creative. Food appearance affects our perception of its taste, so make vegetables more attractive by arranging them in a fun way in your plate.

Get creative by incorporating veggies in latest ways, like grating carrots or kale into muffins or using a spiralizer to make zucchini noodles.

Focus on offering sweeter vegetables, corresponding to peas, carrots, and sweet potatoes, and roast them to bring out their natural sweetness. Children are more likely to reach for sweeter vegetables than bitter ones, corresponding to broccoli.

5. Refusal to eat meat

Meat comprises protein and iron, but many young children refuse to eat it due to its hard, rubbery consistency and intense taste.

If you would like your child to achieve each day protein intake (for instance 80 g of cooked chicken or 65 g of cooked lean beef) but you concentrate on it a challenge:

  • start small. Offer leaner, lighter-tasting meats in small portions which might be easy to chew, corresponding to ground chicken or slow-cooked meats

  • Involve your child in meal preparation. Ask them to select the meat for dinner and ask them to help prepare it.

There are also alternatives you’ll be able to offer as you’re employed to overcome your aversion to meat. Eggs, tofu, beans, lentils, and fish are also high in protein.

Problems with chewing and swallowing and food aversions could also be a symptom of underlying health conditions, so seek the advice of your GP or child and family health nurse in case your child’s picky eating behaviour continues beyond infancy or the preschool period.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Health and Wellness

Childrenswear Brand Elle Olivia Partners With Michelle Obama ‘When We All Vote’ to Launch HerFuture Apparel

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She is Olivia

She is Oliviathe life-style company for confident girls and their mothers, recently unveiled a robust recent clothing collection, launched in collaboration with When all of us votea nationwide, nonpartisan voting initiative founded by former First Lady Michelle Obama. Through the initiative, Elle Olivia and When We All Vote revealed HerFuture collection, an inspiring fashion line that goals to unite families to actively take part in a democracy aimed toward protecting the longer term of our daughters.

Founded in 2022, She is Olivia is a way of life brand for confident girls and their moms. The brand truly embodies the vision that each little girl might be strong, confident and have the facility to dream big. Elle Olivia was created to empower girls to express themselves and see a world where anything is feasible. Each piece in the gathering has been fastidiously designed to support every girl’s big dreams and aspirations, ranging from a young age.

When We All Vote is a number one, national, nonpartisan initiative whose mission is to change the culture of voting and increase participation in every election by helping to close the racial and age gap. Founded by Michelle Obama, When We All Vote connects individuals, institutions, brands, and organizations to register recent voters nationwide and promote civic education for families and voters of all ages to construct an informed and engaged electorate for today and tomorrow. We empower our supporters and volunteers to take motion by voting, advocating for his or her rights, and holding their elected officials accountable.

Obama launched When We All Vote in 2018 and was joined by other co-chairs: Stephen Curry, Becky G, Selena Gomez, Tom Hanks, HER, Liza Koshy, Jennifer Lopez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monae, Chris Paul, Megan Rapinoe, Shonda Rhimes, Bretman Rock, Kerry Washington, and Rita Wilson.

“We’re thrilled to join forces with When We All Vote to bring this meaningful collection to life,” said Marty McDonald, CEO and founding father of Elle Olivia. “Our brand is rooted in more than just fashion; it’s about supporting inclusivity and empowering our daughters. Together with When We All Vote, we hope to inspire parents and families to use their voices and vote to pave the way for a brighter future.”

The HerFuture collection goals to mobilize parents and families to vote and advocate for a more inclusive and equitable society for generations to come. Featuring an assortment of inspiring sweatshirts for young girls and their moms, this collection makes a press release and makes an impression. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds from every sale will go directly to When We All Vote’s mission to increase voter turnout in every election.

“At When We All Vote, we know that our future depends on us, and we’re proud to partner with Elle Olivia to support the next generation of leaders,” said Beth Lynk, Executive Director of When We All Vote. “Making our voices heard and participating in our democracy is about our daughters, families, schools, and communities. The HerFuture collection reminds us to lead by example, make sure our communities are registered and ready to vote, and make a lasting impact.”

The HerFuture collection reflects the organization’s commitment to civic engagement and community outreach. As the election approaches, this initiative highlights the urgent need to protect the rights and opportunities of future generations. The campaign supports Elle Olivia’s mission to empower young girls and When We All Vote’s efforts to encourage participation within the vote.

The Elle Olivia x When We All Vote HerFuture collection is accessible on the Elle Olivia e-commerce site until September 27. To support the initiative and take a look at the gathering, visit Elle Olivia’s HerFuture campaign and follow @shopelleolivia on Instagram.


This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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