# Cardiovascular Health of Sexual and Gender Minorities in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (SGM HCHS/SOL)

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2020 · $818,668

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Hispanic/Latino sexual and gender minorities (SGM) are the fastest growing ethnic group of SGM in the U.S.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among Hispanic/Latinos. SGM
inequities in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk have been identified as early as young adulthood; and minority
stress has been identified as a potential moderator. Yet, small numbers of ethnic minority participants in SGM
studies have precluded examination of the intersections of sexual orientation, gender identity, and ethnicity.
We propose a cost-effective ancillary study that will leverage existing data from the parent Hispanic
Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) while collecting new data on sexual orientation, gender
identity, stigma, discrimination, stress, coping, social support, and CVD risk. The proposed study is timely
because HCHS/SOL participants will be scheduled for their third in-person visits (V3) starting in November
2019. In this study, we will (1) examine the influence of sexual orientation and gender identity on CVD risk
among all HCHS/SOL participants at V3 (~9300); (2) model pathways from sexual orientation and gender
identity to CVD risk through stigma, discrimination, and stress among a 1:2 matched sub-cohort of SGM and
non-SGM participants at V3 (~1680); and (3) examine the influence of stigma/discrimination on sexual
orientation and CVD risk relationships among sub-cohort participants at V3. Data analysis will follow a
conceptual model derived from the LGBT Minority Stress Model in which excess stigma discrimination against
SGM leads to minority stress that increases CVD risk. In this model, coping and social support serve as
resilience factors that mitigate the impact of minority stress on CVD risk. Cross-sectional and longitudinal
regression models as well as structural equation models will be used to test these relationships. Understanding
the influence of stigma-induced stress on CVD risk among Hispanic/Latino SGM has significant implications for
the development of culturally-specific CVD risk reduction strategies. Study findings will be used to build on
identified Hispanic/Latino cultural strengths to inform adaptation and testing of family and community
acceptance interventions.
.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9863147
- **Project number:** 1R01HL149778-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** KRISTA M PERREIRA
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $818,668
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-03-04 → 2025-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9863147

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9863147, Cardiovascular Health of Sexual and Gender Minorities in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (SGM HCHS/SOL) (1R01HL149778-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9863147. Licensed CC0.

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