Food Insecurity in the United States LGBTQ+ Population: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of All of Us Data.

Abstract

AimTo assess food insecurity prevalence among the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ+) population and to investigate variations by age, race and ethnicity, and gender identity.MethodsData were obtained from the All of Us Research Program, a longitudinal cohort study that includes 34 148 LGBTQ+ participants. Food insecurity prevalence was reported using descriptive analyses, and chi-square tests were performed for comparison between groups.Results6.7% of the LGBTQ+ population was food insecure with wide variance based on gender identity. Transgender participants were more likely to be food insecure than cisgender participants (9.8% vs 6.2%, P < .001). Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) LGBTQ+ participants were more likely to be food insecure than white counterparts (9.5% vs 5.4%, P < .001).ConclusionStandardized language to assess sex and gender identity will improve precision in food insecurity estimates. Wide variations in food insecurity prevalence persist among demographic variables with the highest rates among Black, transgender, and younger participants. Interventions are needed to address food insecurity, especially among BIPOC and transgender populations.SummaryBased on newly data available from over 34 000 LGBTQ+ people, food insecurity impacts groups within the United States differently. Transgender people experience food insecurity at higher levels than cisgender people, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) are impacted by food insecurity at higher levels than white communities.