Age Equity: A Framework for Addressing Ageism, Stigma, and Bias

In the Covid-19 context, researchers and policy makers have turned their attention to long-standing disparities in health equity, including by race, ethnicity, poverty, sexuality, and gender. Yet, scholarship to date does not conceptualize age as a critical aspect of difference requiring an equity lens. In this presentation, we utilize an Age Equity Framework to investigate ageism based on research findings from the 2018 National Health, Aging and Sexuality/Gender Study (NHAS): Aging with Pride. Investigating ageism, stigma, and bias, we found nearly half of LGBTQ older adults feel invisible and disrespected. After adjusting for background characteristics, experiences of ageism were associated with higher rates of stigma, lifetime victimization, discrimination, lower support and community engagement, and adverse outcomes (lower mental and physical health and quality of life). The rapidly growing older adult population highlights the pressing need to consider age inequities and the importance of achieving age equity across the life course.

The Evolution of Aging With Pride—National Health, Aging, and Sexuality/Gender Study: Illuminating the Iridescent Life Course of LGBTQ Adults Aged 80 Years and Older in the United States

Aging with Pride: National Health, Aging, and Sexuality/Gender Study is the first federally funded study addressing aging among LGBTQ older adults throughout the United States. This article examines the evolution of this landmark study and explores the well-being of LGBTQ adults aged 80 years and older ( n = 200), the most underrepresented group in the field. Based on the Iridescent Life Course, we examined the diverse, intersectional nature of LGBTQ older adults’ lives, finding high levels of education and poverty. Microaggressions were negatively associated with quality-of-life and positively associated with poor physical and mental health; the inverse relationship was found with mastery. When the oldest encountered risks, it resulted in greater vulnerability. This longitudinal study is assessing trajectories in aging over time using qualitative, quantitative, and biological data and testing evidence-based culturally responsive interventions for LGBTQ older adults. Research with LGBTQ oldest adults is much needed before their stories are lost to time.

Aging and Sexuality

Sexual health in general and issues of old age sexuality in particular are neglected by laymen and healthcare professionals alike. Contrary to popular beliefs, elderly individuals continue to have sexual desire and sexual activities, and they believe that healthy sexual expression is an important aspect of healthy aging. Sexual problems are more frequently found in the elderly. This chapter describes the various causes of sexual dysfunction, assessment, and management of sexual problems in the elderly.