Information by Population

Gay and bisexual men, especially those in Native communities, may experience and/or perceive barriers to getting preventive health care to learn of risks and practice strategies to stay healthy. In addition to having the same health issues as all men, Gay and bisexual men have higher risks for infection from Viral Hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases, and higher rates of depression,substance use disorders, and tobacco use.

• Cancer Facts for Gay and Bisexual Men Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
• About STIs and Gay Men Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
• Fast Facts: HIV and Gay and Bisexual Men Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
• Protect Yourself – Get Vaccinated Against Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Lesbian and bisexual women may have or perceive barriers to getting preventive health care and may be at greater risk Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  for certain conditions such as obesity and breast cancer, and have higher rates of smoking, alcohol use, and substance use than heterosexual women.

• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI+) Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
• Cancer Facts for Lesbians and Bisexual Women Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – The American Cancer Society
• Fact Sheet: HIV and Women who have sex with women Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
• National Alliance on Mental Illness Find Support: LGBTQ Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Growing up is never easy, but adolescence coupled with being Two-Spirit/LGBTQI+ can increase risk factors in response to stresses from discrimination, bullying and abuse. Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, bisexual and questioning youth are at increased risk for depression and suicide attempts Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov , and some research suggests increased risk for transgender youth, too. Though little research has been done on transgender youth, rates of smoking, alcohol consumption, and substance use may be higher Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  among non-heterosexual youth. LGBTQ+ youth report experiencing elevated levels of violence, victimization, and harassment compared with heterosexual and non-gender-variant youth. A disproportionate number of LGBTQ+ youth are or are at risk of becoming homeless.

The youth-focused We R Native site has a multimedia page Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  dedicated to LGBT Two Spirit.

Health Considerations for LGBT Youth Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – CDC

Guide for Trans Minors in Ban States Seeking To Access Gender-Affirming Care in IHS or Tribal Sites Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – Paths (Re)Membered Project

Stewarding Healthy Relationships Zine Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – Paths (Re)Membered Project

Ask Your Relative Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – We R Native

Qualifications of Being Zine Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  Paths (Re)Membered Project

While LGBTQ and Two-Spirit people have the same health problems as other people as they age, they also experience additional social challenges that impact their health and wellbeing. Though things are changing, unlike their heterosexual peers, elder LGBTQ people may be less likely to have ever been married or had children, two sources of social support commonly relied upon by aging populations.

• Administration on Aging Diversity
• LGBT Partners Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov – CMS
• Issues Tool for Providers on LGBT Adults Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov – CMS
• National Resource Center on LGBT Aging Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
• Health Disparities Experienced Among Older Sexual Minorities Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov [PDF - 222 KB]
• Elders Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
• Native Americans and Alzheimers Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  – National Resource Center on Native American Aging
• Two Spirit Elders Reflect on the COVID Pandemic Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 
• "Just Check In": Talking about Well-being with Two Spirit & LGBTQ+ Elders Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov