Media Advisory
Monday, July 22, 2024
NIH-funded research highlights the importance of health disparities research.
what
A National Institutes of Health (NIH) analysis of data from the population-based National Health Information Survey found that self-reported sexual minorities (SGM) – individuals who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, transgender, non-binary, or gender diverse – were twice as likely to report active epilepsy compared to non-SGM individuals. “Active epilepsy” means having been diagnosed with epilepsy and having had one or more seizures in the past year or currently taking anti-epileptic medications.
This study suggests that epilepsy may add to the increasing neurological health disparities experienced by SGM people and other minority communities. The potential causes of this increased prevalence are unknown.
The authors point out limitations of the study: The survey relied on self-reporting of SGM and epilepsy status, which may have discouraged some people from reporting even when they responded anonymously. The survey data analyzed in the study is from 2022, the first year that questions about current gender identity, sexual orientation, and sex assigned at birth were included.
These findings and study limitations highlight the importance of collecting information on SGM status and the need for further research on health disparities observed within this population. Department of Global Health and Health Disparities At NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), we support rigorous research aimed at better understanding and reducing these types of disparities to reduce the burden of neurological disorders for all people.
This study NINDS Intramural Research Programs and the NIH’s National Institute on Aging (AG063899).
Who
Richard Benson, MD, Director, Office of Global Health and Health Disparities, National Institute of Indian Studies (NINDS)
article
Johnson, E. L. et al., “Prevalence of epilepsy among sexual and gender minorities.” JAMA Neurology. July 22, 2024
NINDS(Click here for details) is the nation’s largest funder of research on the brain and nervous system. NINDS’ mission is to pursue fundamental knowledge about the brain and nervous system and to use that knowledge to reduce the burden of neurological diseases.
About the National Institutes of Health (NIH):NIH is the nation’s medical research agency, comprised of 27 Institutes and Centers, and is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit: Click here for details.
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