LGBT+ OLDER ADULTS REPORT HIGHER RATES OF LONELINESS AND OTHER ADVERSE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH - Abstract

Q: What data and population were analyzed?

The study used 2023 BRFSS data from 33 U.S. states and 2 territories that included optional SDoH and SOGI modules, focusing on adults aged 65+.

Q: What was the association between LGBT+ identity and loneliness after adjustment?

After accounting for demographics, LGBT+ older adults had 30% higher odds of reporting loneliness compared with non-LGBT+ older adults (aOR 1.30; 95% CI 1.17–1.44).

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Liam

While loneliness often decreases with age, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and additional identity (LGBT+) adults aged 65+ face elevated risks for loneliness and adverse social determinants of health (SDoH). Data from 33 U.S. states and 2 territories using 2023 BRFSS optional SDoH and SOGI modules were analyzed. LGBT+ older adults more often reported current loneliness (about one third vs. one fifth), and after adjusting for demographics had higher odds of loneliness (aOR 1.30, 95% CI 1.17–1.44), alongside greater food and housing insecurity.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Study design and data source

Key findings on loneliness and SDoH

Implications for intervention needs

2 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.004 LGBT+ OLDER ADULTS REPORT HIGHER RATES OF LONELINESS AND OTHER ADVERSE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH Jace Flatt1, Joel Anderson2, Ethan Cicero3, Jalal Uddin1, and Erin Rook1, 1. University of Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, 2. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States, 3. Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States While loneliness tends to decline with age, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and additional identity (LGBT+) older adults face heightened risks of loneliness and adverse social determinants of health (SDoH). We examined data from 33 U.S. states and 2 territories from the 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System that included optional SDoH and sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) modules. The sample included adults aged 65+ (mean:73.5 years, range:65-80+) who identified as a LGBT+(n=2356) and non-LGBT+(n=68,546) . Loneliness was defined as feeling socially isolated from others always/usually/ sometimes. Multivariable logistic regression models examined associations between loneliness and LGBT+ identity adjusting for demographic characteristics (age, race/ethnicity, education and income). Compared with non-LGBT+ older adults, LGBT+ older adults were slightly younger and unmarried/not partnered (61% vs. 46%), and reported annual incomes ≤$20,000 (12% vs. 8%), poor/fair health (25% vs. 22%), greater depression (22% vs. 15%), and greater functional impairment (10% vs. 9%). In terms ofSDoH, LGBT+ older adults also reported greater food insecurity (11% vs. 7.0%) and housing insecurity (5% vs. 3%) compared with non-LGBT+ older adults. Nearly one third of LGBT+ older adults reported current loneliness compared with one fifth of non-LGBT+ older adults (p <0.001). After accounting for demographics, LGBT+ older adults were 30% more likely to report loneliness (aOR:1.30; 95% CI:1.17, 1.44) than non-LGBT+ older adults. This study highlights higher rates of loneliness among LGBT+ older adults compared with non-LGBTQ+ older adults and the critical need for interventions to bolster social connectedness and support for LGBT+ older adults.

FAQs

How was loneliness measured in this study?

Loneliness was defined as feeling socially isolated from others always/usually/sometimes.

What data and population were analyzed?

The study used 2023 BRFSS data from 33 U.S. states and 2 territories that included optional SDoH and SOGI modules, focusing on adults aged 65+.

What was the association between LGBT+ identity and loneliness after adjustment?

After accounting for demographics, LGBT+ older adults had 30% higher odds of reporting loneliness compared with non-LGBT+ older adults (aOR 1.30; 95% CI 1.17–1.44).

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Liam