title: Disparities in health and disability among older adults in same-sex cohabiting relationships.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study compared indicators of impaired health and disability between older adults in same-sex cohabiting relationships and their peers in opposite-sex cohabiting relationships.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were obtained on men (n = 698) and women (n = 630) aged 50 years and older and in self-reported same-sex relationships from the National Health Interview Survey. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to estimate differences in physical health, mental health, and disability status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with their peers in married opposite-sex relationships, older men in same-sex relationships exhibited greater odds of psychological distress, and older women in same-sex relationships experienced elevated odds of poor/fair health, needing help with activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, functional limitations, and psychological distress.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study adds to the limited information on health and disability among older lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults. As this population grows, gerontologists must develop a better understanding of the unique issues and challenges facing them and their families.
authors.affiliation: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA gonza440@umn.edu.
authors.forename: Gilbert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gonzales
authors.affiliation: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.
authors.forename: Carrie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Henning-Smith
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006306:Health Surveys; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011287:Prejudice / Q000523:psychology; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D014481:United States
keywords: and bisexual (LGB); discrimination; gay; lesbian; minority health; stigma