National GLBT Health Awareness Week, a nationwide event whose purpose is to promote gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender health, kicks off on March 11 with events across the country. Awareness week is organized by the National Coalition for LGBT Health.

The theme for this year's awareness week is "KNOW MORE" and the major objective is to encourage healthcare providers, policy makers, and GLBT people themselves to learn about the health needs of the GLBT community.

Event organizers are urging GLBT Americans to talk with their health care providers about mental health, sexual health, substance abuse, heart health, fitness, and domestic violence and safety and for all people to learn about the health disparities and healthcare needs of the GLBT community. In addition, organizers have developed fact sheets on specific topics that gay and bisexual men, lesbian and bisexual women, trans men and trans women should discuss with their providers. All fact sheets are available at

"Health Awareness Week is a time for all of us to learn more about how to keep ourselves, our loved ones, and our community healthy and strong. The National Coalition for LGBT Health calls on policymakers and the healthcare community to make sure that they include the needs of the LGBT community, this week and every week," stated Rebecca E. Fox, national director of the National Coalition for LGBT Health.

"Show that you care about yourself by getting checked out and encouraging your friends and loved ones to do the same," said one of the event's organizers, Dr. David Haltiwanger, who along with Eugenia Handler ,chairs the board of the National Coalition for LGBT Health.

Additional information and resources can also be found at http://www.lgbthealth.net. The site contains fact sheets on over a dozen topics of interest to GLBT people, including sexual health, substance abuse, aging, and trans-specific health issues. The site also has posters, postcards, sample newspaper ads, and other press materials that can be used to promote National LGBT Health Awareness Week in your community.