LONDON, March 26, 2024 — People in England and Wales who identify as gay, bisexual, or another sexual orientation have a life expectancy roughly one year shorter than their heterosexual counterparts, according to groundbreaking new analysis from the Office for National Statistics. This isn’t just a number; it’s a stark reminder that societal factors can profoundly impact health outcomes.
A Year Lost: Sexual Orientation and Longevity
New data reveals a life expectancy gap between LGBTQ+ individuals and their straight peers.
- Men identifying as LGB+ live, on average, 1.2 years less than straight men (59.4 years vs. 60.7 years).
- For women, the gap is slightly smaller, with LGB+ women living 0.9 years less than straight women (63.0 years vs. 64.0 years).
- Bisexual individuals experience a more pronounced difference in life expectancy compared to those identifying as gay or lesbian.
- The ONS analysis, using 2021 census data, marks the first time life expectancy has been examined through the lens of sexual orientation in England and Wales.
- Experts emphasize that societal treatment, not sexual orientation itself, is the likely driver of these disparities.
Digging deeper into the numbers, the life expectancy for gay or lesbian men is 59.3 years, while for women it’s 62.8 years. Bisexual individuals face an even greater disparity, with a life expectancy of 59.6 years for men and 62.9 years for women. These figures, while preliminary, paint a concerning picture of health inequities.
What explains the difference in life expectancy between LGBTQ+ individuals and their straight peers? According to Greg Ceely, head of population life events at the ONS, “People who identified as gay or lesbian had a slightly lower life expectancy than those identifying as straight or heterosexual. Life expectancy can be impacted by a range of factors, so we can’t tell from this analysis whether sexual orientation is the driver of the difference seen.”
However, experts believe the answer lies not in who people are, but how they are treated. Laia Becares, professor of social science and health at King’s College London, succinctly puts it: “Sexual orientation itself is not a risk factor, but the way sexual minority people are treated in society is.”
Experiencing discrimination and exclusion is linked to increased stress, smoking, and drug use – behaviors that sexual minority people are statistically more likely to engage in, according to Becares.
This finding echoes recent ONS analysis from last month, which revealed that LGB+ people in England and Wales are at a higher risk of death from suicide, alcohol-related disease, and drug overdose compared to their straight counterparts. The data, derived from the 2021 census and death registrations, is considered experimental, with life expectancy estimated from age 20 due to the age restriction on the sexual orientation question in the census.
The ONS noted it was unable to analyze gender identity due to “uncertainty associated with the responses” to related questions in the 2021 census. This highlights the ongoing challenges in collecting comprehensive data on diverse populations.
The implications of this research are clear: addressing societal biases and promoting inclusivity are crucial steps toward improving the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals. It’s a conversation that demands attention, and a disparity that demands action.
If you are struggling with difficult feelings, help is available. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email [email protected] or [email protected]. In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counsellor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org
