# Older adults in vulnerable communities: Health and quality of life over time

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2021 · $637,802

## Abstract

The dramatically escalating number and diversity of older adults are defining features of the world-wide
population. Research demonstrates that older adults from marginalized and disadvantaged populations are at
elevated risk of accelerated aging and premature death. The National Institutes of Health are committed to
reducing and eliminating health disparities and have recognized that health disparities among sexual and
gender minority people are one of the main gaps in health research. Recent population-based studies have
demonstrated that sexual and gender minority older adults are at elevated risks of chronic health conditions,
disability, and poor physical and mental health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The proposed longitudinal
research will follow more than 2,300 demographically diverse LGBT adults aged 50 or older recruited from all
U.S. Census divisions. Based on an innovative health equity promotion framework incorporating a life course
development perspective, this study will examine the risk and protective factors affecting the health and well-
being of LGBT older adults over time. This multidisciplinary national research team, in collaboration with
community-based partner agencies, addresses a critical gap by identifying modifiable mechanisms impacting
health and HRQOL over time. Utilizing 8 years of longitudinal survey data and objective data (biomarkers and
physical and cognitive measures) and linking with administrative data from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services, the primary aims of the project are: 1) Identify at-risk LGBT older adults by investigating trajectories
of health outcomes over time, their relationships with stigma, and the mediating roles of stress; 2) Understand
modifiable mechanisms accounting for variability in changes in health outcomes by examining the roles of
identity management, social networks, physical activity, and barriers to health care as well as health service
utilization; and 3) Examine disparities in multimorbidity, disability, and HRQOL by demographic factors (age
cohort, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, and race/ethnicity) and risk and protective factors that account
for health disparities. This study also harmonizes with external population-based data including Health and
Retirement Study, National Health Interview Survey, and American Community Survey to enhance the study
and ensure cost efficiency. As the older adult population increases, the health care costs associated with
health disparities will continue to rise. To respond to this growing public health challenge it is imperative to
identify groups at high risk of disparities and to determine the modifiable mechanisms impacting their health
and well-being as they age. The findings from this research will generate much needed information to directly
inform and guide the development of tailored interventions that can be effectively delivered within community-
based agency settings to improve the health and quality of life of ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10135795
- **Project number:** 5R01AG026526-10
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** KAREN Ilene FREDRIKSEN-GOLDSEN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $637,802
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2009-09-30 → 2023-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10135795

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10135795, Older adults in vulnerable communities: Health and quality of life over time (5R01AG026526-10). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10135795. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*