3401 - EXAMINING SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH IN ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES WHO IDENTIFY AS LGBTQIA+: A CALL TO ADDRESS PERSISTENT HEALTH INEQUITIES

Session: 3268 - THE INTERSECTION BETWEEN SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, AND DISABILITY: CROSS-CULTURAL AND CROSS-GENERATIONAL INSIGHTS
AUTHORS:
Rigoulat Célia (École Universitaire de Recherche (EUR) Healthy, Université Côte d'Azur ~ Nice ~ France) , Martino Alan (Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary ~ Calgary ~ Canada) , Yule Ashleigh (Ashleigh Yule Child Psychology, Athabasca University ~ Calgary ~ Canada) , Neumann-Mascis Andreas (The Meeting Point ~ Boston ~ United States of America) , Caamano Carlota (Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM) - Innovation, Technology, and Cognition (INTECOG) Laboratory ~ Montreal ~ Canada) , Pelletier Pénelope (Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal ~ Montreal ~ Canada) , Chourot-Ferland Samuel (Faculté de science politique et de droit, Université du Québec à Montreal ~ Montreal ~ Canada) , Dubois Mégan (Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal ~ Montreal ~ Canada) , Hong-Kim Annette (Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University ~ Montreal ~ Canada) , Turk Céline (Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal ~ Montreal ~ Canada) , Moreno Alexander (Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal ~ Montreal ~ Canada)
Abstract text:
Introduction:
Social determinants of health play a critical role in shaping health outcomes and driving inequities. However, there is little knowledge on how these social determinants uniquely affect individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, and other sexual orientations and gender expressions (LGBTQIA+).


Purpose:
To investigate how social determinants of health shape the experiences, health outcomes, and community participation of adults with disabilities who identify as LGBTQIA+ in the province of Quebec, Canada.


Method:
Fourteen adults with disabilities who identify as LGBTQIA+ completed the 49-item SPARK tool (Screening for Poverty And Related social determinants and intervening to improve Knowledge of and links to resources). Developed in Canada, The SPARK tool is a standardized instrument developed to systematically collect data on social determinants of health, facilitating targeted interventions and resource linkage. The tool is structured around two main domains (i.e., sociodemographic characteristics and social needs that directly impact well-being and access to care).


Results:
Eleven participants reported living with at least one mental health condition, and an equal number disclosed experiencing physical or emotional abuse (78.6%). Although the majority reported having a family doctor and access to public insurance, the results reveal gaps in access to health services. Only two participants (14.3%) had a professional caregiver and just one (7.1%) had access to a nurse navigator. Additionally, nearly half of the participants (42.9%) have already been unable to obtain medication due to cost. In the past 12 months, 50% were unable to attend their appointments due to a lack of transportation, and an equal number reported not having private insurance.


Conclusion:
This study reveals social inequalities in healthcare faced by adults with disabilities who identify as LGBTQIA+ and underscores the urgent need to integrate their social, economic, and relational contexts into healthcare policies and practices to effectively mitigate these disparities.