Intersectional Microaggressions and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Perception in Bisexual Black, Indigenous, and People of Color

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), or heart diseases, are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality nationwide. Separate bodies of research indicate that Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual (LGB) individuals and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) demonstrate high risk for CVD and report greater levels of intersectional microaggressions compared with their Heterosexual White and BIPOC counterparts. Within LGB communities, Bisexual individuals report more discrimination that is associated with more CVD risk factors compared with their Heterosexual and Lesbian and Gay (LG) counterparts. Research has not examined differences in the rates of CVD risk factors between Bisexual and LG BIPOC or the associations between intersectional microaggressions and heart disease risk perception in LGB BIPOC, a relevant construct correlated with health behavior and objective risk. Participants (N= 264) self-identified as LGB BIPOC and filled out measures on their CVD risk factors, CVD risk perception, and experiences of intersectional microaggressions or intersectional minority stress. Results showed that Bisexual and LG BIPOC reported similar odds for CVD risk factors. Intersectional minority stress and CVD risk perception were positively associated with Bisexual participants only. Findings underscore the importance of extending beyond traditional biomedical frameworks of CVD risk and recognizing the unique contribution of intersectional microaggressions for LGB BIPOC, with strong associations of intersectional minority stress for Bisexual BIPOC heart health.