How Much May Discrimination Explain Mental Disparities Between Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Adults in the United States?

December 08
2:30-3:30pm
708 Broadway, Room 801 / Online

This event has been rescheduled from its original date to Thursday, December 8.

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Hosted by the GPH Center for Anti-Racism, Social Justice and Public Health

A large body of evidence shows that sexual minorities (i.e., lesbian, gay, bisexual, and other minority sexual orientations) are more likely to report psychological distress than heterosexuals. These disparities are likely due to discrimination and stigma, which most population-based surveys do not measure. Join Dr. Gilbert Gonzales as he explores this evidence in a discussion as part of the Center for Anti-Racism's Fall Seminar Series.

The objective of this study is to use Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition techniques to identify the contributing factors of disparities in psychological distress that are potentially explained by observable characteristics and the residual disparities that may due to unobservable characteristics (i.e., discrimination and stigma). He finds observable factors only explain 20-40% of the disparities in mental health, leaving 60-80% due to unobserved factors such as experiences of discrimination and stigma. Mental health providers should continue to screen for psychological distress among sexual minority patients and foster more inclusive clinical environments. Policymakers should also consider non-discrimination protections in the social determinants of health so that sexual minorities feel welcomed.

About the Speaker:
Gilbert Gonzales, PhD, MHA, is an Assistant Professor at the Center for Medicine, Health & Society, the Program for Public Policy Studies, and the Department of Health Policy at Vanderbilt University. Professor Gonzales’ research examines how public policies affect health outcomes, access to care, and health disparities for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations. He also studies the role of health care reforms on vulnerable populations. His research has appeared in the American Journal of Public HealthPediatricsJAMAHealth AffairsThe Milbank Quarterly, and the New England Journal of Medicine; and has been covered by news outlets such as CNNReuters, the New York PostThe Guardian, and U.S. News and World Report.

Professor Gonzales also teaches health policy courses to undergraduate students, and he mentors undergraduate, graduate, and medical students interested in health disparities research. In 2016, he was awarded the Chancellor’s Award for Research on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for his research on LGBT health at Vanderbilt University.

Professor Gonzales completed his PhD in Health Policy & Administration at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, a Master of Health Administration from the University of North Texas Health Science Center, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Biology from Baylor University.