Primary Submission Category: LGBTQ+
Examining Differences in Self-Reported Cardiovascular Disease History among LGBTQ+ subgroups: A secondary data analysis using 2018-2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey
Authors: Jane Murphy,
Presenting Author: Jane Murphy*
Introduction: The purpose of this analysis was to examine how differences in cardiovascular disease (CVD) history vary along sexual orientation and gender identity. Even though research has found there is often an intersection between diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, these groups are often treated as either uniform (the LGBTQ+ community as a whole) or as two separate groups (either diverse sexual orientation or gender identity), particularly regarding CVD history.
Methods: This secondary data analysis used valid responses from adults who completed the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) module and CVD history (heart attack, coronary artery disease, and stroke) from the 2018-2023 cycles of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey. CVD history was examined using Chi-Square analyses first by four-level SOGI subgroups (Transgender Straight, Transgender Diverse Sexual Orientation, Cisgender Straight, and Cisgender Diverse Sexual Orientation) and then by 12-level SOGI subgroups at the intersection of sexual orientation (diverse sexual orientation or straight) and gender identity (Transgender Women, Transgender Men, Gender Nonconforming Assigned Female at Birth, Gender Nonconforming Assigned Male at Birth, Cisgender Women, and Cisgender Men).
Results: 1,314,710 respondents from the 2018-2023 BRFSS cycles were examined. Chi-square analyses found statistically significant differences in reported CVD history among the four-level SOGI category as well as in the more detailed 12-level SOGI category. For each gender identity group, those with diverse sexual orientations reported lower prevalence of CVD history when compared to their straight counterparts.
Discussion: These results highlight significant differences in reported CVD history among SOGI categories. Further research is needed to better understand the cause(s) of these health disparities so that effective interventions can be implemented to reduce these outcomes among SOGI subgroups.