Why This Matters

The LGBTQ community is disproportionately impacted by a range of infectious and chronic diseases and conditions that are exacerbated by discrimination, shame, and stigma. For too long, a lack of accurate, contextualized data has prevented social scientists from resolving health disparities that affect the daily lives of LGBTQ people:

• Why do gay men have higher cancer rates and lower survival rates?
• Why do 41 percent of transgender people commit suicide?
• Why are lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals more likely to report poor health and more chronic conditions?
• Why do 30 percent of LGBTQ people report being physically attacked because of their identity?
• Why are 40 percent of homeless youth LGBTQ?
• Why do only 41 percent of companies include LGBTQ partners in their insurance benefits?

If you would like to learn more about these topics, additional information can be found below:

• AAP News and Journals: “Transgender Adolescent Suicide Behavior”
• AHA Newsroom: “Discrimination Contributes to Poorer Heart Health for LGBTQ Adults”
• CDC: “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health”