Activity Limitation Disparities by Sexual Minority Status, Gender, and Union Status

Abstract

Objectives: We examined whether sexual minorities have greater risk of activity limitations than straight population, and whether the association between activity limitations and sexual minority status differs by gender and union status before and after controlling for key health variables of body mass index (BMI) and psychological distress . Methods: We used logistic regression on nationally representative data from the 2013 to 2014 National Health Interview Surveys . Results: Sexual minority status is associated with activity limitations risk, with important differences by union status and gender. Gay single mens heightened risk relative to straight married men is explained by psychological distress and BMI, while lesbian/gay single women experience no heightened risk relative to straight married women. Straight cohabiting and partnered gay men do not differ from straight married men regarding risk, while lesbian/gay partnered women experience heightened risk relative to straight married women even after controlling for psychological distress and BMI. Lesbian/gay previously married women do not differ from the straight married of either gender. Conclusions: Findings suggest that activity limitations risk varies across the intersections of sexual minority status with union status and gender. We identify several groups within sexual minorities that are at greatest risk of health disparity, demonstrating that sexual minority health is not a monolith.