Health and healthcare use among older transgender and cisgender adults in the U.S.

Examining Health Comorbidities and Healthcare Utilization Disparities among Older Transgender and Cisgender Adults in the U.S.

NIH-funded research Brown University · NIH-11386317

This research looks at health conditions and how older transgender and cisgender adults use healthcare services across the United States.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBrown University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Providence, United States)
Project IDNIH-11386317 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This project uses national U.S. health and survey data to compare chronic conditions and healthcare use among older transgender and cisgender adults, especially those 55 and older. The team will analyze medical claims, electronic health records, and survey responses to track routine, acute, and post-acute care and to examine how gender-affirming care relates to other services. Researchers will look for patterns linked to lifelong stigma, geography, and access to providers. The goal is to identify gaps so care and policy can better meet older transgender people's needs.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People most relevant to this work are U.S. adults aged about 55 and older, including both transgender/gender-diverse and cisgender older adults.

Not a fit: Younger transgender adults under 55 or people living outside the United States are less likely to directly benefit from the study's age- and country-specific findings.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide improvements in access, services, and policies that reduce health disparities for older transgender adults.

How similar studies have performed: Previous community-based and some population studies have documented health disparities for transgender people—mostly among younger adults—so national data on older TGD adults are limited and this work fills an important gap.

Where this research is happening

Providence, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.