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. 2014 Feb;104(2):e105-12.
doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301501. Epub 2013 Dec 12.

Research funded by the National Institutes of Health on the health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations

Robert W S Coulter  1 , Karey S Kenst, Deborah J Bowen, Scout
Affiliations

Research funded by the National Institutes of Health on the health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations

Robert W S Coulter et al. Am J Public Health. 2014 Feb.

Abstract

Objectives: We examined the proportion of studies funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that focused on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations, along with investigated health topics.

Methods: We used the NIH RePORTER system to search for LGBT-related terms in NIH-funded research from 1989 through 2011. We coded abstracts for LGBT inclusion, subpopulations studied, health foci, and whether studies involved interventions.

Results: NIH funded 628 studies concerning LGBT health. Excluding projects about HIV/AIDS and other sexual health matters, only 0.1% (n = 113) of all NIH-funded studies concerned LGBT health. Among the LGBT-related projects, 86.1% studied sexual minority men, 13.5% studied sexual minority women, and 6.8% studied transgender populations. Overall, 79.1% of LGBT-related projects focused on HIV/AIDS and substantially fewer on illicit drug use (30.9%), mental health (23.2%), other sexual health matters (16.4%), and alcohol use (12.9%). Only 202 studies examined LGBT health-related interventions. Over time, the number of LGBT-related projects per year increased.

Conclusions: The lack of NIH-funded research about LGBT health contributes to the perpetuation of health inequities. Here we recommend ways for NIH to stimulate LGBT-related research.

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Figures

FIGURE 1—
FIGURE 1—
Studies funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that examined the health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations, by year and by (a) frequency and (b) percentage: 1989–2011.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • National Institutes of Health efforts on sexual and gender minority health research.
    Tabak LA. Tabak LA. Am J Public Health. 2014 Jul;104(7):e7. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.301973. Epub 2014 May 15. Am J Public Health. 2014. PMID: 24832419 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
  • Coulter et al. respond.
    Coulter RW, Kenst KS, Bowen DJ, Scout. Coulter RW, et al. Am J Public Health. 2014 Jul;104(7):e7-8. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.302028. Epub 2014 May 15. Am J Public Health. 2014. PMID: 24832436 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
  • Continued disparities in lesbian, gay, and bisexual research funding at NIH.
    Voyles CH, Sell RL. Voyles CH, et al. Am J Public Health. 2015 Jul;105 Suppl 3(Suppl 3):e1-2. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.302265. Epub 2015 Apr 23. Am J Public Health. 2015. PMID: 25905824 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
  • Coulter et al. respond.
    Coulter RW, Kenst KS, Bowen DJ, Scout. Coulter RW, et al. Am J Public Health. 2015 Jul;105 Suppl 3(Suppl 3):e2-3. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.302316. Epub 2015 Apr 23. Am J Public Health. 2015. PMID: 25905847 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

References

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