Associations of Sexual Orientation and Sexual Orientation-Related State Policy Environments With Smoking and Lung Cancer Screening Outcomes Among US Adults

Despite the overall decline in cigarette smoking in the United States, it remains disproportionately higher among sexual minority (SM) populations, making them an important sub-population for lung cancer screening. We examined the relationships between sexual orientation and sexual orientation-related state policy environments with cigarette smoking and low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung cancer screening outcomes among SM and straight adults. We found that SM adults have increased odds of smoking and LDCT lung cancer screening eligibility relative to straight adults. Structural stigma negatively influences smoking behavior and lung health among SM and straight adults. Preventive interventions to mitigate structural stigma are needed.