Discrimination, Cardiovascular, and Sleep Health: An Intersectional Analysis

• In Event: 20820 - Section on Medical Sociology Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Table 12. Sexual and Gender Minority Health

Abstract

Sexual and gender minorities (SGM) are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease and report short sleep duration. According to minority stress theory and the biopsychosocial minority stress framework, the higher risk of disease among the SGM population results from the elevated exposure to chronic stressors related to their lived experiences of marginalization, including discrimination. In this paper, I examine the association of experiences of marginalization and social disadvantage (i.e. discrimination, harassment and violence) and cardiovascular and sleep health outcomes in a robust and racially diverse sample of sexual and gender minorities. Findings suggest that aggregated experiences of discrimination (mean) and individual discriminatory events, harassment and violence are significantly associated with cardiovascular and sleep health outcomes. Furthermore, discrimination attributed to both being a sexual/gender and a racial/ethnic minority is associated with higher odds of both outcomes compared to discrimination attributed to a single minority status. The results underscore the importance of considering intersectional experiences in the study of SGM health.

Authors

• Guadalupe Marquez-Velarde, Utah State University

• Gabe H. Miller, The University of Alabama at Birmingham

• Stephanie Hernandez, Drexel University

• Jesse Shircliff, Utah State University

• Hannah M Lindl, University of Alabama at Birmingham