California has a growing population of older adults, with over 10.3 million Californians projected to be 60 or older by 2030.2 Recent estimates show about 5% of California’s 39 million residents are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, or sexual and/or gender minority (LGBTQIA+). The health and wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ older adults in California have not been previously well-documented for evaluating statewide health disparities and service needs. Prior work has shown significant health disparities among older LGBTQIA+ populations, including higher rates of disease, disability, and barriers to care.
A history of exclusion from research and mistreatment has created challenges in accurate data collection among LGBTQIA+ older adult communities. To identify the needs of LGBTQIA+ older adults and develop programs that serve these communities, community-engaged statewide research is necessary.
Therefore, the CDA initiated California’s first statewide survey to study the health, wellbeing, and service needs of mid-life and older LGBTQIA+ residents across the state as a part of California’s MPA. These data will support the goals of the MPA, which is a blueprint for state government, local government, the private sector, and philanthropy to prepare the state for the coming demographic changes and continue California’s leadership in aging, disability, and equity.
This study was conducted by a team from CITRIS Health and the Center for Advanced Study of Aging Services at the University of California, Berkeley; Openhouse; and the University of California, San Francisco. Survey respondents were 50 years of age or older, residents of California, and LGBTQIA+. The survey was administered online from January through March 2024. Openhouse, a San Francisco Bay Area-based nonprofit serving older LGBTQIA+ adults, recruited and organized statewide coalition of 62 LGBTQIA+-serving organizations based in California which assisted with recruitment and community outreach. The survey was available in Chinese, English, Spanish, and Tagalog to facilitate participation across LGBTQIA+ communities in California. The data reported here represent a convenience sample of those who volunteered to participate. So, while these data are not representative of all LGBTQIA+ people in California, they provide important insight into the needs and diverse experiences of LGBTQIA+ older adults in this state.
