A National Study of Social Media, Television, Radio, and Internet Usage of Adults by Sexual Orientation and Smoking Status: Implications for Campaign Design

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health Vol. 14; no. 4; p. 450
• Main Authors: Seidenberg, Andrew B, Jo, Catherine L, Ribisl, Kurt M, Lee, Joseph G L, Buchting, Francisco O, Kim, Yoonsang, Emery, Sherry L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 21.04.2017; MDPI
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Adults; Aged; Bisexuality; Cross-Sectional Studies; Demographics; Digital media; Female; Gays & lesbians; Health Promotion - methods; Humans; Internet; Internet - statistics & numerical data; Intervention; Male; Mass media; Mass Media - statistics & numerical data; Middle Aged; Orientation; Radio - statistics & numerical data; Sexual behavior; Sexual Behavior - statistics & numerical data; Smoking; Smoking - epidemiology; Smoking cessation; Social Media - statistics & numerical data; Social networks; Socioeconomic Factors; Television; Television - statistics & numerical data; Tobacco; Tobacco Use Disorder; Websites; Young Adult; United States > US; LGBT; smoking; media
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14040450

: Smoking rates among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people significantly exceed that of heterosexuals. Media interventions are an important part of tobacco control efforts, but limited information is available on LGB people's media use. : A nationally representative sample of 12,900 U.S. adults completed an online questionnaire assessing media use, smoking status, and demographic information. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess relationships between media use with sexual orientation and smoking status. : A total of 590 (4.6%) respondents identified as LGB, of which 29% were smokers. Regardless of sexual orientation and smoking status, the Internet was the most popular media channel used, followed by television and radio. LGB respondents had significantly greater odds of having accounts on social media websites, accessing Facebook daily, and being a frequent Internet user, compared to heterosexual respondents. Similar media use was found between smokers and non-smokers, but smokers had greater odds of being frequent television viewers and frequent Internet users, compared to non-smokers. : Compared to heterosexuals, LGB respondents reported greater use of the Internet, especially social media. Media campaigns targeting LGB populations can maximize reach by utilizing social media alongside traditional media channels.