Gender-inclusive research is saving lives today.

Transgender individuals more likely to have chronic health problems

In the largest study of its kind ever conducted in Canada, researchers at CAMH reveal that transgender individuals in Ontario are more likely to experience chronic health problems than the general population.

In the study, led by Dr. Alex Abramovich, Independent Scientist at the CAMH Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, 2,085 transgender individuals were identified using data from four outpatient clinics in three large Ontario cities, which were linked with administrative health data for the period between January 2012 and December 2016.

The study found that transgender individuals were more likely to have higher rates of a variety of health conditions including asthma, COPD, diabetes and HIV, compared to the general population.

Sociodemographic characteristics, health conditions and health service use, including physician visits, emergency department (ED) visits, and hospitalizations were examined and compared between transgender individuals and an age-matched cohort of the general population for this study.

It found that the higher prevalence of these chronic health problems among transgender individuals existed despite the fact that they were more likely to see their primary care physician than the general population. Transgender individuals were also more likely to live in poorer neighbourhoods.

Of particular concern was the higher rates of ED visits and hospitalizations, primarily for mental health issues, including self-harm, even though all of the health clinics where the transgender patient data was collected specialized in transgender health.

The study authors also hope that this research will lead to strategies that can improve health outcomes among transgender individuals, who also face higher rates of mental illness, discrimination, violence, stigma and homelessness.

Dr. Abramovich, who identifies as a transgender man, has been addressing the issue of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and 2-Spirit (2SLGBTQ+) youth homelessness for the past 10 years. He is an internationally recognized leader in this field and is one of a small number of Canadian researchers studying the phenomenon of queer and trans youth homelessness and suicide.

Through his research, he has determined that rates of suicide are much higher for 2SLGBTQ+ youth compared to cisgender and heterosexual youth, and rates of suicide are even higher for 2SLGBTQ+ youth who are rejected by their parents. 

Dr. Abramovich’s innovative research underscores the urgent need for further investigation and a better understanding of the issues impacting the health and wellbeing of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals.