Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT)
older adults, a population subjected often to adverse discrimination in society,
experience unique health needs. Research
on LGB health disparities reports that these older adults are
at high risk for the following:
1)
LGB older adults had higher risk of disability,
poor mental health, smoking, and excessive drinking than did heterosexuals.
2)
Lesbians and bisexual women had higher risk of
cardiovascular disease and obesity.
3)
Lesbians reported a higher rate of excessive
drinking than did bisexual women.
4)
Gay and bisexual men had higher
risk of poor physical health and living alone than did heterosexuals.
5)
Bisexual men reported a
higher rate of diabetes and a lower rate of being tested for HIV than did gay
men.
Far more research is needed in the areas
of age and sexual orientation health disparities to address these populations
appropriately. In addition, healthcare institutions must implement more
staff development and dissemination of homophobia training and policy changes
that positively impact older adult LGBT quality of life.
This video titled “Reducing
LGBT Health Disparities” features UC Davis Health System, the first academic health system in
the nation to have physicians ask sexual orientation and gender identity
questions as part of a patient's routine clinical assessment.
Frances Shani Parker,
Author
Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer
in Urban Nursing Homes is available in paperback and e-book
editions in America and other countries at online and offline booksellers.
This video was informative but I wish more information was discussed regarding what some of the disparities are.
ReplyDeleteMy intention was to report this current research and add the video on how to reduce disparities. You can find more information on LGBT disparities on the Internet.
ReplyDelete