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. 2024 Sep 1;62(9):612-616.
doi: 10.1097/MLR.0000000000002036. Epub 2024 Jul 11.

Trends in Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Data Collection

Ulrike Boehmer  1 , Amy M LeClair  2 , Bill M Jesdale  3
Affiliations

Trends in Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Data Collection

Ulrike Boehmer et al. Med Care. .

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine response patterns to sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) questions in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) over time and to assess nonresponse and indeterminate responses by demographic characteristics.

Methods: This is a secondary data analysis of the SOGI module of the BRFSS. We used data from 46 states and Guam that implemented SOGI questions between 2014 and 2022. We used weighted analyses that accounted for the sampling design, determined SOGI response patterns by year, and assessed nonresponse and indeterminate responses by demographic characteristics.

Results: Over time, increasing numbers self-reported as sexual and gender minority respondents, while heterosexual identity declined. Sexual orientation nonresponse and indeterminate responses increased with time, while respondents' reports of not knowing gender identity declined. Hispanic, older, respondents, those with lower education, and those who completed the questionnaire in Spanish had higher SOGI nonresponse and indeterminate responses.

Conclusions: The low amount of SOGI nonresponse and indeterminate responses in the BRFSS can be instructive for the implementation of SOGI questions in medical settings. SOGI data collection in all settings requires improving procedures for the groups that have been shown to have elevated nonresponse and indeterminate response.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

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    1. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CMS Framework for Health Equity 2022–2032; 2022. Accessed September 9, 2023. http://www.cms.gov/files/document/cms-framework-health-equity.pdf
    1. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The Path Forward: Improving Data to Advance Health Equity Solutions; 2022. Accessed September 19, 2023. http://www.cms.gov/files/document/path-forwardhe-data-paper.pdf
    1. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS. Medicare and medicaid programs; electronic health record incentive program—stage 3 and modifications to meaningful use in 2015 through 2017. Final rules with comment period. Fed Regist. 2015;80:62761–62955.

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