Race and Gender Matter: Insights into Variation in Health and Patterns of Health Utilization for Transgender and Non-binary Adolescents

Abstract

Transgender and non-binary (TGNB) youth/adolescents report higher rates of negative health outcomes, when compared to their cisgender peers. TGNB youth/adolescents, however, are not one monolithic group. For instance, among TGNB people, those that identify as racial and ethnic minorities report poorer health outcomes. This study assessed racial and ethnic variation for TGNB youth/adolescents in general health, long-term mental health, mental health, and annual dental and physical exams using data from the 2016 Minnesota Student Survey. Most TGNB youth/adolescents in this study were in 9th grade, not low SES, lived in the Twin Cities, and reported no physical disability/chronic illness. Black and Hispanic TGNB youth/adolescents reported higher levels of good health and lower levels of long-term mental health problems than their White TGNB peers. Regarding health utilization, Black and Hispanic TGNB youth/adolescents reported lower odds of mental health use and lower odds of dental health utilization, and higher odds of getting an annual physical exam. Congruent with an intersectionality framework, result shown here demonstrate how multiple intersecting social positions come together to impact health. More specifically, we show how the intersection of race/ethnicity and gender drive unique experiences that lead racial/ethnic minority TGNB youth/adolescents to differing patterns in health outcomes.