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= Bisexual Research Collaborative on Health =

About
The Bisexual Research Collaborative on Health (BiRCH) consists of several members conducting research with the overall goal of advancing knowledge on bisexual health. The group has a mission to raise public awareness of bisexual health issues and further research into these issues. BiRCH is a collaboration between the Indiana University School of Public Health- Bloomington, the University of Illinois- Chicago, and the Fenway Institute.

Formation
BiRCH was formed during a research conference at the Fenway Institute in June of 2014. The intention of the conference was to determine the state of bisexual health knowledge and to find gaps in current research. Drs. Wendy Bostwick, Brian Dodge, and Judith Bradford co-founded BiRCH. Dr. Bostwick and Dr. Dodge continue to co-direct the group, but Dr. Bradford passed away in February 2017 from cancer.

Significance of BiRCH's Creation
Studies have show that bisexual individuals have higher health complications that correspond with higher stress levels. Both males and females have high risks of heart disease, cancer, and obesity, as well as mental health issues and violent injury due to being victims of a hate crime or accounts of domestic abuse. Suicide accounts are higher than heterosexual individuals as well as an increase in substance abuse. They also have a higher incidence of childhood sexual abuse. Bisexual women also have been less likely to get the recommended number of pap smears of gynaecological screenings.

Past
Previous projects include studies on depression and victimization of bisexual women, the need for bisexual research in psychology, and diversity of bisexual parents. A member of BiRCH, William Byne, is editor of LGBT Health, a peer-reviewed journal dedicated to research on bisexual health.

Current
A compilation of research by past and current BiRCH members is currently planned to be published in Archives of Sexual Behavior, January 2019, Volume 48, Issue 1. This publication includes studies on psychological health disparities, discrimination against bisexuals, bisexuals of varied race, and much more.

Reference List
“The Fenway Institute Hosts Groundbreaking Meeting on Bisexual Health Research.” Fenway Focus, http://fenwayfocus.org/2014/07/the-fenway-institute-hosts-groundbreaking-meeting-on-bisexual-health-research/.

“Research Spotlight: Bisexual Research Collaborative on Health (BiRCH).” Bisexual Resource Center, https://biresource.org/research-spotlight-bisexual-research-collaborative-on-health-birch/.

Wolitski, Richard J., et al. Unequal Opportunity: Health Disparities Affecting Gay and Bisexual Men in the United States. Oxford University Press, 2008.

Gruskin, Elisabeth Paige. Treating Lesbians and Bisexual Women: Challenges and Strategies for Health Professionals. Sage Publications, 1999.

Bostwick, Wendy B., et al. “Depression and Victimization in a Community Sample of Bisexual and Lesbian Women: An Intersectional Approach.” Archives of Sexual Behavior, 2018, doi:10.1007/s10508-018-1247-y.

Israel, Tania. “Bisexuality: From Margin to Center.” Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, vol. 5, no. 2, 2018, pp. 233–242., doi:10.1037/sgd0000294.

Bowling, Jessamyn, et al. “Paths to Parenthood Among Self-Identified Bisexual Individuals in the United States.” Archives of Sexual Behavior, 2018, doi:10.1007/s10508-017-1090-6.

“LGBT Health.” Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., Publishers | News, https://home.liebertpub.com/publications/lgbt-health/618/.

“Bisexual Research Collaborative on Health (BiRCH).” Center for Sexual Health Promotion, https://sexualhealth.indiana.edu/community/birch.html.