Prevalence of Chronic Conditions by Disability among Sexual and Gender Minorities

Research Objectives: To determine prevalence of chronic conditions by disability among sexual and gender minorities (SGM).

Design: This study employs analysis of secondary data with measures of association and descriptive statistics.

Setting: Data were collected from an online survey sent to sexual and gender minorities through the Aging with Pride: National Health, Aging, Sexuality and Gender Study, which is the first federally-funded longitudinal national project focused on the aging, health, and well-being of LGBTQ midlife and older adults.

Participants: 2,560 SGMs were surveyed through the Aging with Pride Study.

Interventions: none

Main Outcome Measures: Disability as measured through ADL and iADL indicators. Prevalence of chronic conditions as measured through self identified health conditions.

Results: Disability: 20.6% of SGMs 50+ have a disability. Of those with disabilities, 24.5% experience one or more limitation in ADLs and iADLs, 71.2% experience a limitation with one or more iADLs, and 4.3% experience a limitation with one or more ADLs.

Chronic Conditions: 91.0% of SGMs 50+ have a chronic condition. Notably, the average number of chronic conditions reported is 3.22 with the most common five chronic conditions being high blood pressure (45.4%), high cholesterol (43.5%), arthritis (33.8%), depression (31.5%), and anxiety (23.5%).

Disability and Chronic Conditions: For nearly all chronic conditions, SGMs 50+ are more likely to experience a disability with the strongest associations for Multiple Sclerosis (gamma=0.724,p < 0.05), Stroke (gamma=0.600,p < 0.001), AIDS (gamma=0.530,p < 0.001), Heart Failure (gamma=0.503,p < 0.01), and Heart Attack (gamma=0.459,p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Disability: 20.6% of SGMs 50+ have a disability.

Chronic Conditions: Nearly all SGMs 50+ report having a chronic condition (91.0%). The average number of chronic conditions reported is 3.22.

Disability and Chronic Conditions: For nearly all chronic conditions, SGMs 50+ are more likely to experience a disability.

Clinical Implications: Clinicians should employ person centered care approach when working with SGMs, which necessitates being cognizant of the association between chronic conditions and disability. More specifically, clinicians should provide resource information to mediate the effects of chronic conditions with iADLs for SGMs.

Author(s) Disclosures: Authors have no disclosures to report.