Synopsis

This consensus report assesses current knowledge of the health status of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations; identifies research gaps and opportunities; and outlines a research agenda.

“The IOM finds that to advance understanding of the health needs of all LGBT individuals, researchers need more data about the demographics of these populations, improved methods for collecting and analyzing data, and an increased participation of sexual and gender minorities in research.”

The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People: Building a Foundation for Understanding, a new report from the IOM, recommends steps to ensure that clinical researchers identify and address the needs of LGBT populations. The report was written in response to a request from the National Institutes of Health for guidance on researching LGBT health issues.