Nathaniel M. Tran

In this study published by Social Science & Medicine - Population Health, we found that lesbian, gay, and bisexual men and women were much more likely to report declines in their cognitive health and that their declines were more severe and impacting their ability to live independently, compared to heterosexual adults. More than a quarter of lesbian, gay, and bisexual women needed help to live indepenently but did not get it compared to heterosexual peers, and we found no difference for gay and bisexual men compared to peers. 

In this study published by Health Services Research, we found that among nearly 1000 LGBTQ+ patients that 34% reported affirming care, 60% reported neutral care, and 6% reported discriminatory care. Patients with affirming health care experiences were the most likely to receive preventive services like cancer screenings, flu vaccinations, and HIV testing. States with more health systems participating in the Healthcare Equality Index had higher rates of LGBTQ+ patients reporting affirming care. These results demonstrate that affirming LGBTQ+ patients goes beyond patient satisfaction by also improving health outcomes.

In this study published by Health Affairs, we found that lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults skip or delay medical care because of cost more frequently than their heterosexual peers. Financial barriers to medical care were even higher for gay, lesbian, and bisexual adults enrolled in high-deductible health plans, both compared to straight adults on similar high-deductible plans, and gay, lesbian, and bisexual adults with other private insurance. 

In this study published by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, we found that LGBTQ+ patients with affirming providers (doctors, NPs, PAs) had better preventive care (flu shot, cancer screenings, HIV testing) and chronic disease (mental health condition) outcomes than those with non-affirming providers. Health systems can participate in the Healthcare Equality Index to improve their LGBTQ+ cultural competency.

In this study published by JAMA Psychiatry, we found that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and other queer adults reported higher odds of all adverse childhood experiences (ACE) compared to heterosexual adults, with the largest disparity in emotional and sexual abuse. ACE exposure associated with poorer mental health in adulthood. LGBQ+ youth need additional protections in school, public, and at home to reduce the lifelong consequences of ACE.

In this study published by Preventive Medicine, we found that transgender and gender diverse adults reported higher prevalence of all 8 types of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) assessed, with much higher rates of emotional and physical abuse. Transgender and gender diverse adults were more likely to report intense exposure to ACEs, and greater penalties to mental health in adulthood as the level of exposure to ACEs increased. 

In this study published by Transgender Health, we found wide variation in the social, legal, and medical steps taken by transgender and gender non-binary adults in establishing congruence with their gender identity. Professionals working with transgender people should be aware and respectful of the variation in desires for and use of different steps such as name change, updating legal IDs, and use of hormone therapy. 

In this study published by JHPPL, we found that transgender people living in states with more comprehensive gender identity legal protections (e.g. non-discrimination policies in the workplace, school, healthcare) had better mental health than transgender people in states without these protections. National non-discrimination policies such as the proposed The Equality Act may improve transgender population health.