LGBTQ+ Health: Rural vs Urban Inequities

Link	View Research Recap
Date	03/2024
Description	From 2019-2020, rural lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults were more likely to report poor/fair self-rated health than rural heterosexual adults. This Recap examines self-rated health, chronic conditions, mental health, and social and emotional support systems for LGBTQ+ populations.
Topics	Chronic diseases and conditions, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ+), Mental and behavioral health, Social determinants of health

Rural Health Research Products Included in this Recap

• Anxiety, Depression, and Access to Mental Health Care by Sexual Orientation and Rurality
  Policy Brief
  University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
  Date: 06/2022
  This policy brief addresses the research gap among rural sexual minorities by illuminating differences in mental health for two of the most common mental health disorders (depression and anxiety), as well as differences in access to health care.
• Indicators of Familial Social Support by Rurality and Gender Identity
  Policy Brief
  University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
  Date: 03/2023
  Social and emotional support from family significantly contributes to positive health outcomes. Understanding how familial social support differs for those with overlapping marginalized identities is critical to advance population health and health equity. This brief examines differences in familial social support by rurality and gender identity.
• Key Informant Perspectives on Supporting Health and Well-Being for LGBTQ+ Rural Residents
  Policy Brief
  University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
  Date: 09/2022
  This policy brief presents findings from interviews with national lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ+) support and advocacy organizations regarding challenges to physical and mental health and well-being for rural LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as recommendations to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ individuals in rural areas.
• Prevalence of Chronic Conditions by Sexual Orientation and Rural-Urban Location
  Policy Brief
  University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
  Date: 06/2022
  This policy brief examines rates of individual chronic conditions, as well as differences in the number of chronic conditions by sexual orientation and rural-urban location.
• Self-Rated Health Among Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Adults: Rural/Urban Differences
  Policy Brief
  University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
  Date: 07/2022
  Research has documented worse health outcomes and constrained access to care for lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults. Rural residents also experience persistent disparities in health and access to care. This policy brief examines differences in self-rated health by sexual orientation and rural/urban location.
• Small-Town Pride Celebrations Supporting Social Connectedness & Well-Being for LGBTQ+ Rural Residents
  University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
  Date: 06/2022
  The purpose of this case series is to highlight organizations in two states doing exemplary work to celebrate and affirm lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) individuals in their rural communities through Pride events. These may serve as examples to others considering this work.
• Social and Emotional Support During the COVID-19 Pandemic by Sexual Orientation and Rurality
  Policy Brief
  University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
  Date: 06/2022
  This brief identifies differences in social and emotional support and changes to that support during the COVID-19 pandemic by rurality and sexual orientation.