The health status of transgender and gender nonbinary adults in the United States

Abstract

The goal of this exploratory study was to delineate health differences among transgender subpopulations (transgender women/TW, transgender men/TM, gender nonbinary/GNB adults). 2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data were analyzed to compare the health of three groups (TW:N = 369; TM:N = 239; GNB:N = 156). Logistic regression and adjusted odds ratios were used to determine whether health outcomes (fair/poor health, frequent physical and mental unhealthy days, chronic health conditions, and health problems/impairments) are related to group and its interaction with personal characteristics and socioeconomic position. Group was a significant predictor of fair/poor health and frequent mental unhealthy days, revealing significant health differences between the transgender groups. The odds of poor/fair health were approximately 2.5 times higher in TM and GNB adults relative to TW. The odds of frequent mental unhealthy days for TM were approximately 1.5-2 times greater than TW and GNB adults. Among those with health insurance, the odds of fair/poor health for GNB adults was more than 1.5-2 times higher that of TM and TW. Among those without health insurance, TM had over 7 times greater odds of fair/poor health than TW. This study underscores the importance of classifying and examining the health of the transgender population as unique subpopulations, as notable health differences were discovered. TM and GNB adults have significant health concerns, requiring the attention of clinical interventions aimed at promoting health and preventing illness.

The incidence of multimorbidity and patterns in accumulation of chronic conditions: A systematic review

“…Such studies are failing to define sex and gender as non-binary variables when studying the health of populations. 164 , 165 Among studies that reported race and/or ethnicity, data were collected from different sources ranging from medical records to self-report. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of calculating race and ethnic-specific incidence of multimorbidity.…”

Gender-affirming care, mental health, and economic stability in the time of COVID-19: A multi-national, cross-sectional study of transgender and nonbinary people

“…We wanted to honor this distinction while also allowing for individuals who reported being both men and women to transcend the transfeminine versus transmasculine binary. Second, our survey presented a limited number of gender options to an audience from multiple countries in which being a third gender (e.g., two-spirit, bissu, fa’afafine) is distinct from many Western concepts of being transgender [ 34 – 37 ]. Lastly, in line with recommendations from Restar et al, we saw statistically significant differences when comparing nonbinary individuals with transmasculine and transfeminine individuals [ 38 ].…”

Gender-affirming care, mental health, and economic stability in the time of COVID-19: a global cross-sectional study of transgender and non-binary people

“…We wanted to honor this distinction while also allowing for individuals who reported being both men and women to transcend the transfeminine versus transmasculine binary. Second, our survey presented a limited number of gender options to a global audience in which being a third gender (e.g., two-spirit, bissu, fa’afafine, qariwarmi) is distinct from many Western concepts of being transgender 33 . Lastly, in line with recommendations from Restar et al, we saw statistically significant differences when comparing non-binary individuals with transmasculine and transfeminine individuals 34 .…”