American Astronomical Society honors UW’s Emily Levesque for early career achievement

The American Astronomical Society has named , 91探花assistant professor of astronomy, recipient of its 2020 , given for outstanding early career achievement in observational astronomy.

Levesque was honored, more specifically, for her “breakthrough studies of massive stars and their explosive end states.

“Through observations of the host galaxy environments of long-duration gamma-ray bursts she has provided new insights into the stellar populations that create these extremely energetic events,” the AAS said in its . Levesque also led development of a new temperature scale for stars. She wrote a graduate-level e- on the subject in 2017, and is working on a new for the general public about observational astronomy, coming in August.

The is named for American astronomer . This is Levesque’s second honor from the AAS; in 2014 she received the for outstanding research and promise for future research by a postdoctoral woman researcher.

***

Social work professor Karen Fredriksen Goldsen named to Washington state LGBTQ Commission

Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee has named of the 91探花School of Social work one of 15 members to serve on the state’s new LGBTQ Commission.

Fredriksen Goldsen is a professor of social work and director of the at the UW.

All the commission members were chosen by the governor with input from members of the state House and Senate as well as from community stakeholders. The commissioners will serve three-year staggered appointments, and all are effective immediately. The was made Jan. 16.

The LGBTQ Commission was established by the state Legislature and signed into law by Inslee in April 2019. The commission is tasked with identifying the needs of the LGBTQ community and advocating for equity and inclusion throughout Washington state government.

***

Information School professor Batya Friedman receives honorary doctorate from Delft University of Technology

, professor in the Information School, has been awarded an honorary doctorate from , in Delft, Netherlands.

The honor was one of two given to researchers who “symbolize new perceptions in design” during , the Dutch school’s 178^th anniversary celebration, on Jan. 10. Friedman gave a keynote lecture during the event’s Program Design for Values .

Friedman is founder and co-director, with iSchool colleague , of the UW’s . The two also co-wrote the 2019 book “.”

Value sensitive design, the two wrote, “brings together theory, methods and applications for a design process that engages human values at every stage.”

In the ceremony, Delft professor Ibo van de Poel praised Friedman as a pioneer: “In 1996, you for the first time used the term value sensitive design in a publication 鈥� Now, 20 years later the approach has been adopted world-wide.”

Watch a of the Dies Natalis event (Friedman appears at about the 55:35 mark).

***

English Department’s Expository Writing Program wins national honor

The Department of English’s has been awarded a certificate of excellence by the nationwide .

The program is directed by , 91探花associate professor of English. Other associate directors and mentors, noted in the department , are , , , , and .

The awards committee wrote that they were impressed by the program’s “expansive” vision of writing, including its “attentiveness to the needs of diverse learners, including its support for multilingual writers, and its integration of anti-racism into professional development opportunities.”

The newsletter also noted the contribution former program directors, including , , and .

LGBTQ individuals in Washington state have higher rates of disability and poorer mental health than their heterosexual counterparts, according to a study released Oct. 4 by the 91探花.

The results of the Washington State Equity and Diversity Project show specific disparities in the health of LGBTQ adults aged 18 and older. These adults have higher rates of chronic conditions such as arthritis and asthma, and generally have poorer physical health than heterosexual older adults.

The report is the first study of its kind to examine LGBTQ people of all ages throughout the state. The goals are twofold: to identify health disparities among Washington鈥檚 LGBTQ population, including specific racial/ethnic communities; and to come up with potential interventions to address these disparities. Nearly four dozen local and state agencies and organizations are partnering in the effort.

The work is funded by the 91探花Population Health Initiative, an interdisciplinary effort across the university to bring understanding and solutions to the biggest health challenges facing communities here in the Northwest, the U.S. and around the world. Six 91探花researchers 鈥� five on the Seattle campus and one at 91探花Tacoma 鈥� are spearheading the Washington State Equity and Diversity Project.

The findings are being presented Oct. 4 at the national LGBTQ Health and Longevity Conference in Seattle.

鈥淭he findings from this study have tremendous implications for the state of Washington,鈥� said , a professor in the 91探花School of Social Work and the project鈥檚 principal investigator. Fredriksen Goldsen also leads other landmark federally funded studies, including the longitudinal investigation, , which involves more than 2,400 LGBTQ adults nationwide.

鈥淭his is the first study of its kind that looks at LGBTQ individuals across generations and regions of the state and the role that race, ethnicity, economic background, sexual orientation and gender play in their health and well-being,鈥� she said.

The Equity and Diversity project analyzed 2011-2016 data from the Washington State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Among all sexual minority respondents, data showed a higher prevalence of smoking, arthritis and disability, as well as poorer mental health, than heterosexual adults. The same trends held for LGBTQ respondents over age 50, except sexual minority men had higher rates of smoking, and sexual minority women had higher rates of cardiovascular disease, obesity and binge drinking.

Some health problems showed signs of decline: smoking in sexual minority older women, and binge drinking, disability and physical health among sexual minority older men. In an effort to be inclusive, the study uses the term 鈥渟exual minority.鈥�

When data were broken down further, as racial/ethnic sexual minorities, women showed greater risk of hypertension, while men showed greater risk of diabetes.

A supplementary community-based survey, developed by the researchers, of about 1,800 LGBTQ adults focused on economic and social inequities in the state. The survey found significant rates of discrimination, trauma and barriers to health care and other services, while noting what many respondents reported were buffers against bias and isolation: social networks and community activities.

That survey found:

• Nearly 90% had experienced a traumatic event during their lifetime
• Nearly 70% had experienced a microaggression, and just over 30% said they had recently been bullied
• Almost half had faced food insecurity or financial barriers to health care
• More than one-third reported feelings of isolation
• Some 70% said they had a support network, 73% said they participated in LGBTQ advocacy, and 93% helped people in the community

Overall, the data showed greater challenges for transgender, bisexual and queer people and racial/ethnic minorities.

鈥淢ore attention is needed to address the vulnerabilities of trans and gender-diverse people, including those of color, who are hard-to-reach populations,鈥� Fredriksen Goldsen said.

Next, the researchers plan to submit a proposal to the National Institutes of Health, which this year awarded $3 million over the next five years to the Aging with Pride study to conduct the first study of a memory-loss and caregiving intervention in this community.

Co-authors of the Washington State Equity and Diversity Project were of the 91探花School of Social Work; of the 91探花School of Nursing; Dr. of 91探花Medicine; of the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance; and of the School of Social Work & Criminal Justice at 91探花Tacoma.

For more information, contact Karen Fredriksen Goldsen at 206-714-7419 or fredrikk@uw.edu.

The 聽is the first and only multipurpose LGBTQ senior center in Seattle and King County. It was founded by聽,听a 91探花 professor of social work,听with the goal of combating social isolation experienced by many LGBTQ older adults.

Located on Capitol Hill and established with the help of Fredriksen Goldsen鈥檚 research, the GenPride Center provides classes, activities and services for LGBTQ seniors.

Read more in the related聽.

For more information, contact 91探花News video producer Kiyomi Taguchi:聽ktaguchi@uw.edu聽or 206-543-2580.

叠-谤辞濒濒听诲别蝉肠谤颈辫迟颈辞苍:

0:00 Exterior of Broadway Market, Capitol Hill, where GenPride is聽located.

0:11聽Karen Fredriksen Goldsen at GenPride Center.

1:04 Staff and volunteers working.

1:27 Writing workshop and reading in GenPride Center space.

3:13 GenPride training workshop for the staff of Wallingford Senior Center, focusing on making LGBTQ elders feel welcome and comfortable. GenPride also offers LGBTQ cultural awareness training at residential senior facilities.

4:09聽Yoga class hosted by TRIBE Fitness, located on Capitol Hill. They offer free yoga to LGBTQ elders twice a week.

Research shows that LGBTQ older adults are at higher risk for many chronic medical conditions, yet are also resilient and proactive when it comes to taking care of their health.

But one burden for LGBTQ older adults is more subtle and pervasive: social isolation.

A health hazard of its own, loneliness has been linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, early onset of disability, greater risk of cognitive decline and premature mortality. And while accessing affordable, stable housing is an issue for the aging population at large, LGBTQ seniors are particularly vulnerable to difficulties securing housing and finding supportive communities, said , a 91探花 professor of social work and principal investigator of the landmark longitudinal study, .

Launched in 2010, the National Institute on Aging, recently awarded nearly $3 million to Aging with Pride for the next five years. Researchers are following over 2,400 LGBTQ adults, ranging in age from 50 to over 100, in every census division throughout the United States.

Aging with Pride, launched in 2010, has examined specific health conditions as well as and behaviors that contribute to . Its data show that 55% of LGBTQ older adults live alone, and more than one-third are socially isolated.

In Seattle, the , founded by Fredriksen Goldsen, is working to combat that.

Located on Capitol Hill and established with the help of Fredriksen Goldsen鈥檚 research, the GenPride Center provides classes, activities and services for LGBTQ seniors. It鈥檚 the first multipurpose LGBTQ senior center in Seattle and King County.

鈥淭he goal of GenPride is to create community, to provide specialized services and connect LGBTQ older adults, their families and their communities to resources,鈥� Fredriksen Goldsen said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a place for people to call home. It鈥檚 a community center, and the goal is to be able to embrace LGBTQ elders and their allies.鈥�

鈥淪ocial isolation can affect anyone of any generation,鈥� Fredriksen Goldsen added. But research focused on the LGBTQ community, which has historically experienced significant social exclusion, provides proven and practical pathways to building strong social networks for all generations experiencing debilitating loneliness, she said.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really important for people to age in community, because they need to stay connected. They need to have a community that supports them and ensures they are connected to three or more people,鈥� Fredriksen Goldsen said. 鈥淢uch of what we鈥檙e learning here supports the well-being of all elders and is responsive to our increasingly diverse society.鈥�

On June 26, Fredriksen Goldsen was honored by Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan with the .

For more information, contact Fredriksen Goldsen at fredrikk@uw.edu.

The two are among 14 new fellows to be inducted by the organization, which honors scholarship, leadership and high-impact work in the field. Uehara, dean since 2006 and the inaugural holder of the Ballmer Endowed Deanship in Social Work, was named an academy honorary fellow earlier this year for her contributions to the academy’s Grand Challenges for Social Work initiative. She is the first person to hold both fellow and honorary fellow status in the academy.

The Grand Challenges initiative promotes science-based efforts to achieve social progress on 12 fronts, from health equity to family violence. Uehara proposed the initiative in 2012 and has been a leader in its implementation; the initiative has spurred research across the field. During her tenure as dean, the School of Social Work has forged important strategic partnerships with other departments at the 91探花and with the public and private sectors to advance cross-disciplinary learning, prevention science and innovative solutions.

A member of the 91探花faculty since 1990, Uehara was the School of Social Work’s first dean of color, following years as acting dean and associate dean for educational initiatives. Under her leadership, the School鈥檚 advanced social work program聽was ranked third in the nation in 2017 by U.S. News and World Report, and No. 1 in the world for its scholarship and impact by the Center for World University Rankings.

“I鈥檓 thrilled and honored by this recognition,” Uehara said. “I stand with the Academy and my distinguished colleagues in supporting the very best scholarship to solve the daunting social challenges we face today.”

Fredriksen Goldsen has been recognized internationally for her research on health, aging and longevity. She currently leads 鈥溾�濃�� the first national longitudinal project to explore how life experiences relate to changes in aging, health and well-being among LGBTQ adults aged 50 and older. The study is funded by the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute on Aging.

Fredriksen Goldsen has devoted much of her career to investigating the health and well-being of historically disadvantaged communities, which led to a number of national and international studies. This fall, she was awarded $3.7聽million over five years by the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute on Aging to investigate LGBTQ older adults living with Alzheimer鈥檚 disease and their caregivers. It is the first federally funded study to develop and test interventions targeting this community.

“The 91探花School of Social Work鈥檚 spirit of innovation and collaboration has provided rich support for my work,” Fredriksen Goldsen said. 鈥淚t is an honor, both for me as well as the courageous lives of those historically disadvantaged individuals and families who 鈥媋re such a vital part of my research, to receive this recognition by the Academy.鈥�

New fellows will be inducted at the Society for Social Work and Research annual conference in Washington, D.C., in January.

Lesbian and bisexual older women are more likely than heterosexual older women to suffer chronic health conditions, experience sleep problems and drink excessively, a new 91探花 study finds.

In general, lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) older adults were found to be in poorer health than heterosexuals, specifically in terms of higher rates of cardiovascular disease, weakened immune system and low back or neck pain. They also were at greater risk of some adverse health behaviors such as smoking and excessive drinking. At the same time, however, findings point to areas of resilience, with more LGB adults engaging in preventive health measures, such as obtaining HIV tests and blood pressure screening.

The study is the first to use national, population-based data to evaluate differences in health outcomes and behaviors among lesbian, gay and bisexual older adults. Using two-year survey data of聽33,000聽heterosexual and LGB聽adults ages 50 and older from a聽probability-based study of聽the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, researchers from the 91探花School of Social Work report noticeable health disparities between LGB and heterosexual adults.

The were published in the August issue of the .

While this study did not delve into what causes the poorer health outcomes, 91探花social work professor pointed to other research, including the landmark longitudinal study, , that .

“The strong predictors of poor health are discrimination and victimization,” said Fredriksen-Goldsen, the principal investigator on Aging with Pride, which surveyed 2,450 adults aged 50 to 100, studying the impact of historical, environmental, psychological, social, behavioral and biological factors on LGBT older adult health and well-being.

The new 91探花study relied on the 2013-14 National Health Interview Survey, which for the first time asked respondents about their sexual orientation. In the United States, approximately 2.7 million adults age 50 and older self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. This number is expected to increase to more than 5 million by 2060.

Among the 91探花study’s findings:

• Disability and mental distress are significantly more prevalent among lesbians or gay men than among their bisexual counterparts.
• Strokes, heart attacks, asthma, arthritis and lower back or neck pain affected significantly greater percentages of lesbian and bisexual women than heterosexual women. For example, 53 percent of lesbians and bisexual women experienced lower back or neck pain, versus not quite 40 percent of heterosexuals.
• Nearly 7 percent of gay and bisexual men, compared to 4.8 percent of heterosexual men, suffered chest pain related to heart disease.
• More LGB people reported weakened immune systems: about 17 percent of women, and 15 percent of men, compared to 10 percent of heterosexual women, and 5 percent of heterosexual men.
• Lesbian and bisexual women were up to two times as likely to engage in adverse health behaviors such as excessive drinking.
• More than three-fourths of gay and bisexual men, and almost half of lesbians and bisexual women, had received an HIV test. In contrast, roughly one-fourth of heterosexuals had obtained a test.
• Slightly more lesbian and bisexual women had health insurance than heterosexual women, a possible reflection of professional choices, financial independence or same-sex partner benefits.

But the health disparities among lesbian and bisexual women indicate a population that merits greater attention, Fredriksen-Goldsen said.

“Most people think gay and bisexual men would have more adverse health effects, because of the HIV risk,” she said. “Lesbian and bisexual women tend to be more invisible, less often considered when it comes to health interventions. This is a population that isn’t getting the attention it deserves,鈥� she said.

Bisexual men and women, meanwhile, may be marginalized not only in the general population, but also within gay and lesbian communities. As a result, bisexuals report feeling more isolated and experience greater stress, which, in turn, could lead to more adverse health conditions associated with stress as well as frequent risky health behaviors, Fredriksen-Goldsen said.

Like Aging with Pride, this new national study brings to light the need to target prevention efforts and health care services to improve health and the quality of life of LGB older adults, Fredriksen-Goldsen said.

The study was funded by the National Institute on Aging. Other authors were Hyun-Jun Kim, Chengshi Shiu and Amanda E.B. Bryan, all of the 91探花School of Social Work.

###

For more information, contact Fredriksen-Goldsen at fredrikk@uw.edu聽or 206-543-5722.

Grant number: R01AG026526

Transgender people make up a small percentage of active-duty U.S. military personnel, but their experience in the service may yield long-term, positive effects on their mental health and quality of life.

A study from the 91探花 finds that among transgender older adults, those who had served in the military reported fewer symptoms of depression and greater mental health-related quality of life. The were published in a February special supplement of The Gerontologist.

The paper is part of a national, groundbreaking longitudinal study of LGBT older adults, known as “,” which focuses on how a range of demographic factors, life events and medical conditions are associated with health and quality of life.

Estimated numbers of U.S. military personnel who are transgender vary widely, but range between one-tenth and three-quarters of 1 percent of the roughly 2 million active-duty and reserve forces. A from UCLA estimates about 134,000 transgender veterans in the United States.

The new paper, by researchers from the , explores how military service affects transgender people because previous data indicated that, among LGBT people over age 50, those who identified as transgender were more likely to be veterans than lesbians, gay men or bisexuals.

Reports have indicated that transgender individuals serve in the military at higher rates than people in the general population. In the 2015 of 28,000 individuals, 15 percent said they had served, compared to about . And yet, little is known about how military service influences the well-being of transgender veterans later in life.

Other studies have shown that transgender veterans than other veterans. 91探花researchers were somewhat surprised, then, to learn that the transgender veterans they surveyed tended to have better mental health than transgender people who hadn’t served, said lead author , a former 91探花doctoral student who is now an assistant professor at the University of Utah College of Social Work.

The traditionally masculine culture of the U.S. military would seem to be a potentially difficult environment for someone who doesn’t identify with the gender they were assigned at birth, he said.

But military service creates its own kind of identity, the authors said, because it presents often dangerous and traumatic challenges; overcoming those challenges builds resilience. And that’s where the identity as a transgender person enters the picture.

“Many people develop an identity as a military person 鈥� that it’s not just something they did but something that they are,” said Hoy-Ellis. “If transgender people, who are among the most marginalized, can successfully navigate a military career, with so many of the dynamics around gender in the general population and in the military, then that experience can contribute to a type of identity cohesiveness.”

The internalizing of negative stereotypes, such as those around sexual orientation, is considered a risk factor for poor mental health, added co-author , a 91探花research scientist in the School of Social Work. Military service could be the opposite 鈥� a protective factor.

“Often when people think of the transgender population, they focus on the risk factors, but it’s equally important to focus on the protective factors and nourish those resources. In this case, what aspects of military service contribute to being a protective factor?” Kim said.

Researchers said they were somewhat limited by the size of their study sample: Out of the 2,450 people ages 50 to 100 who were surveyed for Aging with Pride, 183 identified as transgender. Of those nearly one-fourth, or 43, had served in the military. Of those who had served, 57 percent identified as female. People of color made up 29 percent of the transgender veterans in the study.

But as awareness grows about gender-identity issues, there is opportunity to address support services for transgender veterans at the federal level and in the community, Hoy-Ellis said.

“This is a population that has served the country very proudly, and it’s important that we recognize that service,” he said. “Learning what we can about transgender older adults with military service may help us develop and implement policies and programs for people who are serving today.”

Other co-authors were Chengshi Shiu, Kathleen Sullivan, Allison Sturges and , all in the 91探花School of Social Work. Funding was provided by the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Aging.

###

For more information, contact Hoy-Ellis at Charles.Hoy-Ellis@socwk.utah.edu or 801-585-0835.

NIH: R01AG026256

Same-sex marriage has been the law of the land for nearly two years 鈥� and in some states for even longer 鈥� but researchers can already detect positive health outcomes among couples who have tied the knot, a 91探花 study finds.

For years, studies have linked marriage with happiness among heterosexual couples. But a study from the is among the first to explore the potential benefits of marriage among LGBT couples. It is part of a national, groundbreaking longitudinal study with a representative sample of LGBT older adults, known as “,” which focuses on how historical, environmental, psychological, behavioral, social and biological factors are associated with health, aging and quality of life.

91探花researchers found that LGBT study participants who were married reported better physical and mental health, more social support and greater financial resources than those who were single. The were published in a February special supplement of The Gerontologist.

“In the nearly 50 years since Stonewall, same-sex marriage went from being a pipe dream to a legal quagmire to reality 鈥� and it may be one of the most profound changes to social policy in recent history,” said lead author , research study supervisor in the 91探花School of Social Work.

Some 2.7 million adults ages 50 and older identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender 鈥� a number that is expected to nearly double by 2060.

Among LGBT people, marriage increased noticeably after a 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. A found that 49 percent of cohabiting gay couples were married, up from 38 percent before the ruling.

For the 91探花study, more than 1,800 LGBT people, ages 50 and older, were surveyed in 2014 in locations where gay marriage was already legal (32 states and Washington, D.C.). About one-fourth were married, another fourth were in a committed relationship, and half were single. Married respondents had spent an average of 23 years together, while those in a committed, unmarried relationship had spent an average of 16 years. Among the study participants, more women were married than men, and of the respondents who were married, most identified as non-Hispanic white.

Researchers found that, in general, participants in a relationship, whether married or in a long-term partnership, showed better health outcomes than those who were single. But those who were married fared even better, both socially and financially, than couples in unmarried, long-term partnerships. Single LGBT adults were more likely to have a disability; to report lower physical, psychological, social and environmental quality of life; and to have experienced the death of a partner, especially among men. The legalization of gay marriage at the federal level opens up access to many benefits, such as tax exemptions and Social Security survivor benefits that married, straight couples have long enjoyed. But that does not mean every LGBT couple was immediately ready to take that step.

According to Goldsen, marriage, for many older LGBT people, can be something of a conundrum 鈥� even a non-starter. LGBT seniors came of age at a time when laws and social exclusion kept many in the closet. Today’s unmarried couples may have made their own legal arrangements and feel that they don’t need the extra step of marriage 鈥� or they don’t want to participate in a traditionally heterosexual institution.

Goldsen also pointed to trends in heterosexual marriage: , and those who do, do so .

“More older people are living together and thinking outside the box. This was already happening within the LGBT community 鈥� couples were living together, but civil marriage wasn’t part of the story,” she said.

The different attitudes among older LGBT people toward marriage is something service providers, whether doctors, attorneys or tax professionals, should be aware of, Goldsen said. Telling a couple they should get married now simply because they can misses the individual nature of the choice.

“Service providers need to understand the historical context of this population,” she said. “Marriage isn’t for everyone. It is up to each person, and there are legal, financial and potentially societal ramifications.” For example, among the women in the study, those who were married were more likely to report experiencing bias in the larger community.

At the same time, Goldsen said, single LGBT older adults do not benefit from the marriage ruling, and other safeguards, such as anti-discrimination laws in employment, housing and public accommodations, are still lacking at the federal level.

Over time, Goldsen and colleagues will continue to examine the influence of same-sex marriage policy on partnership status and health.

The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute on Aging. Other researchers were Karen Fredriksen-Goldsen, Amanda Bryan, Hyun-Jun Kim and Sarah Jen in the 91探花School of Social Work; and Anna Muraco of Loyola Marymount University.

###

Contact: Jayn Goldsen: jayng@uw.edu, 206-616-2887.

Approximately 2.7 million adults age 50 and older self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. This number is expected to increase to more than five million by 2060, yet this population is critically understudied.

91探花researchers have been working to change that through the first longitudinal study of LGBT older adults, called . New findings from the longitudinal study, published in a of The Gerontologist, will increase understanding of the challenges, strengths and needs of this growing yet underserved population.

The new results show that LGBT older adults are both resilient and at-risk, with higher rates of disability, cardiovascular disease, depression and social isolation. The findings also documented how key life events 鈥� including coming out, work and relationships 鈥� are associated with health and quality of life. Articles examined factors such as race/ethnicity, partnership status, resiliency among HIV-positive gay and bisexual men, and transgender older adults with prior military service. The role of social networks, mental health, high-risk alcohol consumption and health care engagement were also studied.

鈥淚t鈥檚 important to understand the health and well-being of LGBT older adults so we can take steps to reduce health disparities,鈥� said principal investigator , professor and director of the UW’s .

鈥淭his research highlights pathways to better understand health for all marginalized communities.鈥�

The team surveyed 2,450 adults aged 50 to 100, studying the impact of historical, environmental, psychological, social, behavioral and biological factors on LGBT adult health and well-being. The 10 articles that make up the supplement focuses on three themes: influence of life events; diversity and subgroup differences; and processes and mechanisms underlying health and quality of life.

鈥淭he insights gleaned from this study of aging among LGBT older adults can deepen our understanding of the richness, diversity and resilience of lives across the life course,鈥� Fredriksen-Goldsen said. 鈥淎s we move forward in aging-related research, services and policies, it鈥檚 important to understand that these communities are diverse, and that unique groups face distinct challenges to their health.鈥�

Funded by the National Institute on Aging, the research will help develop community-based interventions to improve the health and well-being of at-risk LGBT older adults.

###

For more information, contact Fredriksen-Goldsen at fredrikk@uw.edu or 206-543-5722.

The number of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) older adults in Seattle and King County is expected to double by 2030, and they face higher risks of disability, poor health, mental distress and isolation 鈥� along with a social service sector unequipped to deal with their needs.

That鈥檚 the conclusion of a study released Oct. 6 and led by professor and colleagues at the The study identifies widespread social and health disparities experienced by LGBTQ older adults in Seattle and King County who, Fredriksen-Goldsen said, have unique needs and multiple barriers to accessing appropriate care.

鈥淟GBTQ older adults face very high levels of victimization and discrimination, which increase their risk of significant social and health disparities,鈥� said Fredriksen-Goldsen, a 91探花professor of social work and director of the school鈥檚 Hartford Center for Excellence.

鈥淭he obstacles and inequalities they face can jeopardize their health in later life and make them reluctant to seek out aging and other support services.鈥�

The study surveyed 203 LGBTQ people aged 50 to 85 in Seattle and King County and found that:

• More than two-thirds of participants have experienced three or more incidents of victimization in their lifetimes; almost 70 percent had been verbally assaulted and 40 percent threatened with physical violence.
• More than one in five participants visited the emergency room in the previous year.
• Despite the majority of respondents being college graduates, nearly one-quarter were living below 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
• Participants were at high risk of social isolation 鈥� more than 45 percent live alone.
• Most human service providers lack adequate training to serve LGBTQ older adults; 16 percent of participants reported being denied services or given inferior care based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.
• One in six participants were fearful of obtaining services outside the LGBTQ community.

One of the main barriers facing LGBTQ older adults is a lack of service providers skilled at understanding them and their particular needs, Fredriksen-Goldsen said.

鈥淢any providers lack the communication skills to talk with LGBTQ older adults about their lives,鈥� she said. 鈥淔or example, if a transgender older adult needs nursing home care, the staff often has no idea how to treat the person respectfully and ensure appropriate care.

鈥淪o LGBTQ older adults are often reluctant to seek services and may be forced back into the closet, because they don鈥檛 know if they鈥檙e going to have culturally appropriate providers.鈥�

And while societal awareness about LGBTQ people has increased dramatically in the past few decades, Fredriksen-Goldsen said the older members of that population remain largely invisible.

鈥淧eople don鈥檛 think they exist,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen they think of LGBTQ people, they think of young people. What we often hear from providers is, 鈥業 really want to help support those people, but we don鈥檛 have any of them here.鈥欌��

On the upside, the survey found that despite their challenging circumstances, many LGBTQ older adults have developed supportive communities and 90 percent were satisfied with their lives. The majority exercised regularly, and nearly half attended religious services or participated in spiritual activities.

The study is part of a , The National Health, Aging and Sexuality Study: Caring and Aging with Pride over Time, that聽Fredriksen-Goldsen and colleagues are conducting.聽Launched in 2010, the聽project involves surveying more than 2,400 LGBTQ adults aged 50 to 99 across the United States and is the first聽nationwide longitudinal study examining the health and well-being of LGBTQ aging adults.

While Seattle is known as one of the most progressive cities in the country, Fredriksen-Goldsen said it is surprisingly lacking in services for aging LGBTQ people. Accordingly, she is leading a proposal to develop and test an evidence-based training program for health and human services professionals in Seattle and King County. The one-year pilot program would provide support, resources and referrals for LGBTQ older adults and their families and caregivers, and would aim to train 100 practitioners.

Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen is proposing that the city provide half the cost of funding for the program, or $75,000. The remainder would be provided in-kind by Aging with Pride. Rasmussen鈥檚 proposal must still be approved by the city council and Mayor Ed Murray.

The pilot program would increase the knowledge and skills of service providers and could translate to a significant improvement in the quality of care provided to LGBTQ aging adults, Fredriksen-Goldsen said.

鈥淎s Seattle and King County鈥檚 population ages and becomes increasingly diverse, there is a growing need for providers who are trained to work with LGBTQ older adults,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his initiative is an important first step in helping to address that need.鈥�

Finding from the study can be found in the report .鈥� Report co-authors are 91探花School of Social Work research associate Chengshi Shiu, research scientist Hyun-Jun Kim, professor Charles Emlet and project manager Jayn Goldsen.

The study is funded by the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute on Aging. Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R01AG026526 (Fredriksen-Goldsen, PI).