Health Disparities Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Nonbinary Adults 50 Years Old and Older in the United States.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine health disparities among LGBT and nonbinary adult subgroups of those 50 years old and older.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional analysis of data from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. Access to health care, disabilities, health risk and healthy behaviors, and general health and chronic diseases and conditions were compared between gay men, bisexual men, lesbian/gay women, bisexual women, transgender women, transgender men, and nonbinary adults 50 years old and older. Rao-Scott corrected chi-square tests were utilized to determine significant differences between subgroups using weighted data. Multiple comparisons adjusted p values (Bonferroni) analyses were conducted when chi-square tests were significant.

Results

Health disparities were identified among subgroups of LGBT and nonbinary older adults, with those who identified as nonbinary or as transgender women being the most vulnerable. Older nonbinary adults, transgender women, and bisexual men were more likely to not have a personal doctor or to not have had a medical checkup in the past 2 years, and nonbinary older adults were more likely to report disabilities, poor mental and physical health, depression, and asthma.

Conclusion

Public health professionals and health care providers can use this information to target interventions to specific groups. Subgroup analyses of LGBT and nonbinary adults who are 50 years old and older need to continue with a focus on the most vulnerable groups. In addition, more research is needed that disaggregates transgender and nonbinary older adults to identify the unique health concerns of each group.