Transgender and gender diverse older adults and health: A scoping review

Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people in the U.S. face marginalization, discrimination, and disparate adverse health outcomes. This scoping review aims to provide an updated overview of the literature on U.S. TGD older adults’ health, following PRISMA-ScR guidelines to examine studies published from 2012–2021. A broad review identified trends in methodology and publication, while a focused review synthesized key themes. The search identified 117 articles, including quantitative (n = 95), qualitative (n = 16), and mixed methods (n = 6) approaches; publication increased over the review period. The focused review of 19 studies centered on TGD older adults identified themes of Experiences of: Health, Marginalization, and Aging. Compared to cisgender counterparts, TGD older adults face health disparities, often related to provider bias and knowledge gaps. Future research should focus on their specific health needs and experiences alongside additional education for providers and caregivers.