Higher rates of chronic disease among older lesbians and gays

Members of California’s ageing lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) population are more likely to suffer from certain chronic conditions, even as they wrestle with the challenges of living alone in far higher numbers than the heterosexual population, according to new policy brief from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Center for Health Policy Research.

Half of all gay and bisexual adult men in California between the ages of 50 and 70 are living alone, compared with 13.4% of heterosexual men in the same age group. And although older California lesbians and bisexual women are more likely to live with a partner or a family member than their male counterparts, more than one in four live alone, compared with one in five heterosexual women.

A lack of immediate family support may impact ageing LGB adults’ ability to confront statistically higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, poor mental health, physical disability and self-assessed fair or poor health, compared with demographically similar aging heterosexual adults.

The study draws upon three cycles of data from the biennial California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), and underscores the importance of considering these unique needs and chronic health conditions in providing health care and social services to the estimated 170,000 self-identified ageing LGB adults in California – a population that will double in size over the next 20 years.

“Many ageing LGB Californians do not have biological children or strong family support,” said Steven Wallace, the lead researcher on the project.

“Organisations that serve these communities need to take this into account and consider outreach and support mechanisms that enable these individuals to maintain their independence and ability to age safely and in good health.”

The policy brief, ‘The Health of Aging Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Adults in California’, includes the first data published on aging LGB adults based on a large statewide population. And among a population whose health needs are too often associated only with HIV and AIDS, the study offers the first insights about broader health conditions and trends.

The report’s authors recommend that service providers prepare for this generation, both by providing services and resources that target LGBs and by increasing cultural competency and sensitivity among health care providers.

“Access may be equal, but we know that quality of care for LGBs often isn’t,” said Susan Cochran, a co-author of the study and a professor of epidemiology at the UCLA School of Public Health.

“Attitudes are changing, but we still have to continue to push to eliminate discrimination and increase understanding of the rich and diverse life experiences of these individuals to improve the quality of the care they receive.”