A recent analysis by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that individuals who identify as sexual and gender minorities (SGM)—including those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, transgender, non-binary, or gender-diverse—are twice as likely to report having active epilepsy compared to those who do not identify as SGM. Active epilepsy is defined as having been diagnosed with epilepsy, experiencing more than one seizure in the past year, or currently taking anti-seizure medication.
This research suggests that epilepsy may contribute to the growing list of neurological health disparities affecting SGM individuals and other marginalized groups. The reasons for this increased prevalence are not yet clear.
The study has some limitations. It relies on self-reported data regarding SGM status and epilepsy, which some participants might be hesitant to disclose, even anonymously. Additionally, the survey data used were from 2022, the first year questions about current gender identity, sexual orientation, and sex assigned at birth were included.
These findings, along with the study’s limitations, underscore the need for more comprehensive data collection on SGM status and further research into the health disparities faced by this population. The Office of Global Health and Health Disparities at NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) supports ongoing research to better understand and address these disparities, aiming to reduce the burden of neurological diseases for everyone.
