Researchers in the Faculty of Social Work have been awarded $700,000 from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to lead a national study examining chronic health, aging, healthcare access, and wellbeing among 2SLGBTQIA+ older adults in Canada. The four-year project was funded through CIHR's Advancing 2S/LGBTQI+ Health Through Research Operating Grant competition.
The project, "National Study on Chronic Health, Aging, Healthcare Access, and Wellbeing among 2S/LGBTQIA+ Older Adults in Canada", is led by Dr. Rusty Souleymanov, associate professor in the Faculty of Social Work and director of the Village Lab, together with Indigenous Two-Spirit Elder Dr. Albert McLeod.
Elder Dr. Albert McLeod
The research will examine the physical, mental, sexual, social, cultural, and spiritual health and wellbeing of 2SLGBTQIA+ adults aged 55 and older. Researchers will explore experiences with healthcare services, long-term care, end-of-life care, and future healthcare planning through national health data analysis, surveys, interviews, focus groups, and Indigenous sharing circles. The study will also work alongside communities to develop and test practical approaches to improving access to affirming and culturally safe care. Older 2SLGBTQIA+ community investigators from across Canada will help guide the research throughout the project.
"Older 2SLGBTQIA+ people have spent decades building communities, caring for one another and fighting for change, yet their health and aging remain remarkably invisible in Canadian research and health systems," said Dr. Rusty Souleymanov.
"This project is about changing that by making sure older adults, Elders and communities help shape the evidence and the systems that affect their lives."
The project brings together community partners and researchers from institutions and organizations across Canada, combining expertise in 2SLGBTQIA+ health, aging, social work, population health, public health, community-based research, and health equity.
The research team hopes to generate stronger national evidence that will support healthier, safer, and more affirming aging experiences for 2SLGBTQIA+ people across the country.
Visit the Village Lab to learn more.
