This report highlights new findings from a recent project conducted by researchers at University College London (UCL), Cardiff University, and ILC, funded by the Wellcome Trust [207986/Z/17/Z] to explore the discrepancies in health outcomes experienced by older LGBT people.

The research reveals that a lifetime of prejudice and stigma is leading to worse physical and mental health, poorer access to health and social care, as well as greater levels of social isolation and loneliness among older LGBT people.

New analysis, based on data from 24 different surveys, demonstrates that the odds of lesbian, gay, or bisexual men and women experiencing poor self-rated health are around 1.2 times higher than for heterosexual people, with poor self-rated health being a strong predictor of future mortality.

Moreover, older non-heterosexual men are more likely to be living with a long-term limiting illness and have lower overall life satisfaction.

This builds on previous evidence which shows that older LGBT people have worse outcomes across different aspects of their lives including physical health, loneliness, social isolation, mental health, and experiences of violence.

Action is needed to address these health inequalities for older LGBT people through improving the inclusivity of mainstream health and care provision, strengthening the training of health and care staff – potentially through the creation of a national standard or quality framework – and enhancing data collection around older LGBT people and their health and care needs.

Author: Dr Brian Beach