Transgender and gender nonbinary adults in the United States are more likely to report worsening memory and thinking, functional limitations, and depression compared to cisgender (non-transgender) adults, according to two studies reported today at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) 2021 in Denver and virtually. One of the studies was authored by Nickolas H. Lambrou, PhD, assistant scientist in the Gleason Lab, who found depression and cognitive disability was higher among transgender and gender nonbinary adults.
Using data from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), Lambrou and colleagues examined associations between health conditions, cognitive disability and gender identity. Of respondents providing a gender identity (n=231,414), 955 identified as transgender or gender nonbinary (TNB).
The researchers found prevalence of depression was significantly higher for transgender and nonbinary adults (37%) compared to cisgender adults (19.2%). Additionally, reports of cognitive disability were significantly higher in TNB respondents (24.7%) compared to cisgender respondents (10.5%). Nonbinary respondents reported the highest proportion of depression (49.6%) and cognitive disability (30.5%) compared to all other gender groups. The analysis also suggested that men, whether transgender or cisgender, were more likely to report cognitive disability associated with depression compared to other groups. However, it is important to note that cisgender men also reported the lowest proportions of depression (14%) and cognitive disability (9.4%) compared to all other gender identity groups.
Read the full article at: https://www.adrc.wisc.edu/news/uw-aaic-2021-transgender-adults-report-higher-rates-depression-and-cognitive-issues