Public funding of health research on LGTBIQ+population in Spain

Abstract

Objective: To describe the public funding of research on LGTBIQ + health in Spain. Method: We conducted an observational and descriptive study. We sought research projects dealing with LGTBIQ + health funded by the research projects grant from the Instituto Carlos III from 2013 to 2019. We consulted the webpage and the FIS portal and we identified projects that included LGTB community, totally or partially. We estimated the absolute and relative frequencies of LGTBIQ + projects in relation to total funded projects; and we described the LGTBIQ + funded projects by year of funding, topics, LGTBIQ + subpopulation, or funding. Results: Only 0,4% (n = 16) of 4404 funded projects included —totally or partially— LGTBIQ + community, which represents only 0,3% of the funding. LGTBIQ + projects mainly focused on men who have sex with men (n = 14) and the human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) (n = 11). The number of funded LGTBIQ + projects decreased from 2013 (n = 6) to 2019 (n = 0). Conclusions: Research projects on LGTBIQ + health are scarce in Spain. Current funding for research on LGTBIQ + health is insufficient to care for population other than HIV and men within LGTBIQ +. There is a compelling necessity to promote the LGTBIQ + health research to mitigate health disparities, to offer inclusive health services, and to improve healthcare of about 3 million LGTBIQ + people living in Spain.