LGBTQ Americans Could Be at Higher Risk for Dementia, Study Finds

Researchers from the University of California at San Francisco found that LGBTQ Americans were 29 percent more likely to report memory loss and confusion than straight, cisgender citizens, according to NPR . The study, which was presented at the recent Alzheimer's Association International Conference, consisted of a phone-based survey across nine states polling more than 44,000 Americans aged at least 45. About 3 percent of respondents indicated they are in the LGBTQ community. The researchers found that one in seven LGBTQ respondents reported worsening confusion or memory loss over the past year, as compared to one in ten of the straight, cisgender respondents. The researchers also discovered that the LGBTQ respondents reported higher difficulty levels in achieving household tasks than their straight, cisgender counterparts. The study's lead author suggested that these trends may be caused by higher rates of depression, anxiety, and stress among members of the LGBTQ community. Data suggests that roughly 350,000 LGBTQ adults in the United States are currently living with dementia or Alzheimer's.