California’s first statewide survey results LGBTQ+ Although older adults expressed higher overall satisfaction with their quality of life, they also expressed concerns about transgender women’s personal, financial, and mental health.
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A study titled “”From challenge to resilience” was conducted in early 2024 with 4,037 respondents. The study was conducted by the California Department of Aging, the University of California, Berkeley, the University of California, San Francisco School of Nursing, Department of Community Health Systems, and Open House, a nonprofit LGBTQIA+ senior advocacy organization.
“This research is an important step in understanding the unique needs of LGBTQIA+ older adults, allowing us to take meaningful steps towards shaping services that truly reflect and respond to this community.” said CDA Director Susan Demarova. statement. “We are proud that so many respondents feel California offers a high quality of life, and we are committed to addressing barriers and creating a better place for all older Californians. We are committed to building on these strengths by creating an inclusive and supportive future.”
The survey examined seven topics: economic well-being, social well-being, discrimination and safety, health care access, service utilization, mental health and substance use, and cognitive and physical health.
Most survey respondents were white (78%). Most identify as cisgender (86%). The majority lived in Northern California (65 percent) and urban areas (81 percent).
Most of those surveyed gave their personal health and quality of life a high rating (86 percent), but 14 percent only rated their quality of life as fair or poor. Transgender and gender-expansive people are the least satisfied with their quality of life, with 22% giving it a low or fair rating.
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Trans women were also most likely to have recently experienced mistreatment, disrespect, or discrimination. Overall, 27% of those surveyed reported such experiences, while 54% of trans women said they had recently experienced such victimization.
Officials hope to use the findings as a baseline for further research and as a key component of a statewide plan to address California’s aging population.
“California is at the forefront of creating a future where all seniors are valued, respected and supported, regardless of their identity,” California Health and Human Services Secretary Kim Johnson said in a statement. . “These findings provide a foundation for meaningful change and guide our aging master plan to ensure all older Californians feel recognized and included. .”
You can download the entire 96-page report. here. Alternatively, you can download a 16-page summary of the report. here.
Source: Advocate.com – www.advocate.com
