Are LGBTQ+ Adults More Likely To Suffer From Brain Health Issues? New Study Found This

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According to the study findings, there is indeed a higher risk of stroke, dementia, and late-life depression in people belonging to the LGBTQ+ community.

Members of the LGBTQ+ community do not have it easy. For long, they have existed in the fringes of society, not just in India, but in many countries around the world that have struggled to create an inclusive environment for them. This has led to discriminatory practices that have affected the mental health of individuals. The need of the hour is to ensure that people belonging to LGBTQ+ community get the same respect and inclusion that cisgender individuals (those who identify with the sex assigned at birth) get. A new study has found that individuals of LGBTQ+ community have a higher risk of developing severe ‘brain health’ outcomes, when compared with straight, cisgender people. Read on to find out more.

Published earlier this week in the journalNeurology, the study found that there is a 15 per cent higher risk of a ‘composite brain health outcome’ that includes stroke, dementia, and late-life depression (which affects older individuals aged 65 years and above) in individuals belonging to the LGBTQ+ community.

According to the researchers, the study was conducted with the aim that sexual and gender minority (SGM) groups have historically been ‘underrepresented’ in neurologic research. And because of that, their ‘brain health disparities’ have remained unknown. The idea was to find out whether SGM individuals are at higher risk of ‘adverse brain health outcomes’ in comparison with cisgender-straight (non-SGM) individuals.

The research included 3,93,041 adult participants, of whom, 39,632 (10 per cent) belonged to SGM groups. Of them, 38,528 (97 per cent) belonged to a sexual minority group and 4,431 (11 per cent) to a gender minority.

Promote Mental Well-Being In The LGBTQ+ Community

The findings of the research put the spotlight on providing good mental health within the LGBTQ+ community. It requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses the unique challenges and stressors they face. Here are seven crucial things to do:

1. Create safe spaces: Promote inclusive environments where individuals feel comfortable expressing themselves.
2. Support networks: There must be peer support groups along with organisations that focus on the LGBTQ+ community.
3. Affirming healthcare: There should be access to trained healthcare providers who are competent to deal with LGBTQ+ care issues.
4. Anti-discrimination policies: In order to protect the mental health of individuals, they must be protected from harassment and bullying.
5. Education and awareness: There should be LGBTQ+-inclusive curriculum and resources in place.
6. Family acceptance: The role of family is immense. Supportive family relationships can change the life of an individual, who is struggling with their identity.
7. Self-care: They must be encouraged to practise mindfulness, self-compassion, and stress management techniques like yoga and breathing exercises.