Understanding the Healthcare Needs of LGBTQ+ Adults in South Florida

Understanding the Healthcare Needs of LGBTQ+ Adults in South Florida

Alvin Sherman Library

Adults over the age of 65 represent 18% of Broward County's population. Over 886,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ+) individuals live in Florida, with 43,000 LGBTQ+ seniors residing in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties. Lifetime stigma, discrimination, and structural stressors impacting their social determinants of health (SDOH) engender negative long-term health outcomes, such as elevated rates of mental health and substance abuse issues, among LGBTQ+ adults. The purpose of this study is to assess the SDOH that affect LGBTQ+ adults in South Florida and their interests in community health events. 110 LGBTQ+ adults who attended either the 2024 NSU M.D. Pride Health Fair or the Active Aging Expo at the Pride Center at Equality Park, Wilton Manors, Florida, completed an anonymous 17-item questionnaire on Microsoft Forms, which evaluated their motivations for health-fair attendance and their SDOH factors. Data was analyzed with Fisher’s exact and Kruskal-Wallis tests, using R 4.2.2. Interpretation of this data may help educate healthcare professionals on more inclusive approaches when treating LGBTQ+ patients, which may directly reduce their health disparities and improve health outcomes. The findings of this study may be used to better understand the most optimal, practical ways to mitigate the health inequities of South Florida’s LGBTQ+ population and more.