Authors: Ingrid Handlovsky, Vicky Bungay, Joy Johnson, John Oliffe
Publication: Sociology of Health and Illness
Volume: 10
What we know
There is limited knowledge about how middle-aged and older gay men manage their health, considering that they experience health inequalities caused by homophobia, heteronormativity and discrimination. It is important to explore this avenue of research in order to provide clinicians adequate tools to enhance men’s capacities to promote and protect their health.
What we discovered
Ongoing discrimination contributes to harm and poor health for the middle-aged and older gay men who participated in this study. The overarching practices the men implemented to overcome adversity were:
- Advocating for health needs
- Knowing about health issues and treatments
- Engaging in health-promoting practices
What’s next
Understanding that these practices are ongoing is the first step in designing tailored, patient-centered resources that respect historical contexts and attempt to reduce the adversity faced by this population. In order to best serve this group, the ongoing effects and discrimination must be concurrently acknowledged and addressed.
Handlovsky, I., Bungay, V., Johnson, J., & Oliffe, J. (2020). Overcoming adversity: a grounded theory of health management among middle‐aged and older gay men. Sociology of Health & Illness. doi: 10.1111/1467-9566.13145