The risk of reporting active epilepsy is twice as high for sexual and gender minorities

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Monday, July 22, 2020

NIH-funded study highlights health disparities and their significance.

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According to a National Institutes of Health analysis of data collected by the National Health Information Survey, self-reported sexual minorities are twice as likely as non-SGMs to have active epilepsy. A person with "active epilepsy," also known as epilepsy, is someone who has experienced more than one seizure in the past year and/or is taking anti-seizure medications.

The study indicates that growing neurological health disparities experienced by SGM and other minority communities may include epilepsy. This increase is unknown.

The authors note the limitations of this study. This survey relies heavily on respondents self-reporting their MBS status and epilepsy, which some people may be reluctant to disclose, even anonymously. This study analyzes data from a 2022 survey. This was the first time questions regarding current gender, sexual orientation, and sex at birth were asked.

These study limitations and findings highlight the importance of collecting information on SGM status and the need for further research on health disparities in this population. Office of Global Health and Health Disparities The NIH's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke supports rigorous research and aims to better understand and reduce these disparities to reduce the burden of neurodegenerative diseases on all.

The study is supported by NINDS Intramural Research Program The NIH National Institute on Aging (AG063899).

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Richard Benson, MD Richard Benson, MD

The article below provides more information about the item.

Johnson, EL et al., “ Epilepsy is more common in sexual orientation and gender minorities. » JAMA Neurology. August 22, 2024

NINDS(https://www.ninds.nih.gov() is the largest U.S. funder of nervous system and brain research. The mission of NINDS is to gain fundamental knowledge of the nervous system and brain, and use this knowledge to reduce the burden of neurodegenerative diseases.

The National Institutes of Health: The NIH is the medical research agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It comprises 27 institutes and centers. The NIH, the national medical research agency, is comprised of 27 institutes and centers and is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Visit the NIH for more information about its programs and services. www.nih.gov. NIH… Making Discovery a Healthy Lifestyle

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