In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers from the 91爆料’s School of Social Work have released new this month on the health and aging of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender older adults in the U.S.
Approximately 2.7 million adults age 50 and older self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. This number is expected to increase to more than five million by 2060, yet this population is critically understudied.
91爆料 researchers have been working to change that through the first longitudinal study of LGBT older adults, called . New findings from the longitudinal study, published in a of The Gerontologist, will increase understanding of the challenges, strengths and needs of this growing yet underserved population.
The new results show that LGBT older adults are both resilient and at-risk, with higher rates of disability, cardiovascular disease, depression and social isolation. The findings also documented how key life events 鈥� including coming out, work and relationships 鈥� are associated with health and quality of life. Articles examined factors such as race/ethnicity, partnership status, resiliency among HIV-positive gay and bisexual men, and transgender older adults with prior military service. The role of social networks, mental health, high-risk alcohol consumption and health care engagement were also studied.
鈥淚t鈥檚 important to understand the health and well-being of LGBT older adults so we can take steps to reduce health disparities,鈥� said principal investigator , professor and director of the 91爆料’s .
鈥淭his research highlights pathways to better understand health for all marginalized communities.鈥�
The team surveyed 2,450 adults aged 50 to 100, studying the impact of historical, environmental, psychological, social, behavioral and biological factors on LGBT adult health and well-being. The 10 articles that make up the supplement focuses on three themes: influence of life events; diversity and subgroup differences; and processes and mechanisms underlying health and quality of life.
鈥淭he insights gleaned from this study of aging among LGBT older adults can deepen our understanding of the richness, diversity and resilience of lives across the life course,鈥� Fredriksen-Goldsen said. 鈥淎s we move forward in aging-related research, services and policies, it鈥檚 important to understand that these communities are diverse, and that unique groups face distinct challenges to their health.鈥�
Funded by the National Institute on Aging, the research will help develop community-based interventions to improve the health and well-being of at-risk LGBT older adults.
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For more information, contact Fredriksen-Goldsen at fredrikk@uw.edu or 206-543-5722.