A recently published longitudinal study found that LGBT+ identifying people in the U.S. are twice as likely to be unemployed or uninsured compared to their non-LGBT+ peers. The study also found that the LGBT+ community overall reports worse health and general quality of life.
Brittany Charlton, first author on the study and assistant professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, says she thinks that, despite the stark results, the study is likely underestimating the disparities.
“Most of the study participants were white and their families had middle-to-high household incomes,” Charlton said. “Given this high social status we may have underestimated levels of unemployment, being uninsured, and having poor health-related quality of life.”
Charlton emphasizes the need for legal protections for the LGBT+ community against discrimination, as well as more inclusive healthcare.
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