Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

February 5, 2021

Sexual Orientation Disparities in Risk Factors for Adverse COVID-19-Related Outcomes, by Race/Ethnicity – Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United States, 2017-2019

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Several underlying health conditions associated with risk for developing more severe COVID-19–related illness were more prevalent among sexual minority persons, according to data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The presence of greater numbers of risk factors were observed when compared to heterosexual individuals, both within the overall population and specific racial/ethnic groups. The authors suggest that inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity data in COVID-19 surveillance and other data collection could improve knowledge about disparities in infections and adverse outcomes among sexual and gender minority populations.

Heslin et al. (Feb 5, 2021). Sexual Orientation Disparities in Risk Factors for Adverse COVID-19-Related Outcomes, by Race/Ethnicity – Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United States, 2017-2019. MMWR. http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7005a1