There are currently around 3 million LGBTQ* adults over age 50 living in the U.S. The population of older LGBTQ* adults is expected to grow to around 7 million by 2030. LGBTQ* older adults experience health disparities across four general areas: access to health care; HIV/AIDS; mental health; and chronic physical conditions. Transgender older adults are at even greater risk as there is little data on aging, disease, and longevity in this community. For some transgender people, long-term hormone use could interact with an aging body and related health issues and medications in ways that most health care providers do not know or understand. Overall, LGBTQ* older adults face a wide range of physical health disparities that are generally unaddressed by governments or health care providers. Stony Brook Medicine strives to combat these disparities and be a place where LGBTQ* older adults can get quality care.
