Suchergebnisse

We used data from the 2014-2017 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey to compare health care expenditures and financial burden between adults in same-sex couples ( n = 514) and adults in different-sex couples ( n = 41,043). Compared with men in different-sex couples ($3,994), men in same-sex couples ($6,896) were more likely to spend more on health care, especially on prescription medications ($2,745 vs. $1,050), which was primarily driven by antiviral medications ($1,061 vs. $35). Women in same-sex couples ($5,886) reported similar health care expenditures compared with women in different-sex couples ($5,619). However, women in same-sex couples were significantly more likely to experience financial burden compared with women in different-sex couples (25.7% vs. 11.3%). We speculate that the disparities reported here are due to a variety of issues, including elevated health needs requiring prescriptions for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) men and lower incomes for LGBT women. More research is needed to understand health services utilization and expenditure patterns among LGBT populations.

The objective of this study is to examine access to care based on gender identity in urban and rural areas, focusing on transgender and gender diverse (TGD) populations. Data on TGD ( n = 1,678) and cisgender adults ( n = 403,414) from the 2019 to 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used. Outcome measures were four barriers to care. We conducted bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions to assess associations between access, rurality, and gender identity. Bivariate results show that TGD adults were significantly more likely to experience three barriers to care. In multivariable models, TGD adults were more likely to delay care due to cost in the full sample (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.00, p < .001), rural subsample (AOR: 2.14, p < .01), and urban subsample (AOR: 1.97, p < .01). This study revealed greater barriers to care for TGD adults, with the most frequent barriers found among rural TGD adults. Increased provider awareness and structural policy changes are needed to achieve health equity for rural TGD populations.

AbstractWe provide the first comprehensive evidence on the effects of access to legal same‐sex marriage (SSM) on marriage and adult health using the full rollout of marriage equality across the United States. Using data from the CDC BRFSS from 2000 to 2017, we relate changes in outcomes for individuals in same‐sex households (SSH) coincident with adoption of legal SSM in two‐way fixed effects models. A substantial share of these households includes gay and lesbian couples. For men in SSH, we find robust evidence that access to legal SSM significantly increased marriage take‐up, health insurance coverage, access to care, and healthcare utilization. Results for women in SSH are inconclusive apart from a clear increase in marriage take‐up. Our results provide the first evidence that legal access to SSM significantly improved health for adult gay men.

We conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with LGBTQ+-identified individuals (n = 31) to explore the range of LGBTQ+ perspectives on genomic research using either sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI) data. Most interviewees presumed that research would confirm genetic contributions to sexual orientation and gender identity. Primary hopes for such confirmation included validating LGBTQ+ identities, improved access to and quality of healthcare and other resources, and increased acceptance in familial, socio-cultural, and political environments. Areas of concern included threats of pathologizing and medicalizing LGBTQ+ identities and experiences, undermining reproductive rights, gatekeeping of health or social systems, and malicious testing or misuse of genetic results, particularly for LGBTQ+ youth. Overall, interviewees were divided on the acceptability of genomic research investigating genetic contributions to sexual orientation and gender identity. Participants emphasized researchers' ethical obligations to LGBTQ+ individuals and endorsed engagement with LGBTQ+ communities throughout all aspects of genomic research using SOGI data.

This edited volume fills an important gap in health communication, exploring the significant disparities in access to health care and health coverage that LGBT individuals and their families face. With cutting-edge empirical research, the essays examine the social and structural factors that lead to the stigma and discrimination that LGBT populations experience.