Older Transgender People's Discrimination in Healthcare: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Health Equity
• LGBTQ+ Studies

Background:

• Older adults, particularly those identifying as LGBTQ+, face unique healthcare challenges.
• Discrimination within healthcare settings significantly impacts older transgender individuals.
• Understanding these experiences is critical for improving health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of existing literature on discrimination experienced by transgender adults aged 65 and older in healthcare settings.
• To identify key themes and map the current research landscape.

Main Methods:

• Adherence to PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews.
• Systematic literature search across multiple databases (Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, etc.) using specific keywords.
• Inclusion of studies published in English within the last twenty years focusing on discrimination against transgender individuals over 65 in healthcare.

Main Results:

• Research on this specific demographic is limited.
• Older transgender individuals often anticipate or experience discrimination, leading to healthcare avoidance and negative health outcomes.
• While overt discrimination may appear lower than in younger cohorts, comparable victimization exists, exacerbated by age-related vulnerabilities and socioeconomic factors. Structural barriers like documentation issues and lack of provider competence are significant hurdles.

Conclusions:

• Targeted policy reforms, inclusive clinical practices, and community-based support are essential to mitigate disparities.
• Increased institutional accountability and interdisciplinary research are necessary.
• Ensuring safe, affirming, and equitable healthcare for aging transgender populations is paramount.