Mental Health Disparities Among Sexual and Gender Minority Frontline Health Care Workers During the Height of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Abstract

Purpose: This study measured mental health disparities in a Bronx, New York sample of frontline health care workers collected May-July, 2020, during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Using survey data (N = 741), we compared demographics, COVID-19 stressors, and adverse mental health outcomes between sexual and gender minority (SGM, n = 102) and non-SGM (n = 639) health care workers through chi-square/Kruskal-Wallis tests, crude/adjusted odds, and prevalence ratios. Results: SGM frontline health care workers had significantly higher depression, anxiety, impact of COVID-19, and psychological distress. Income (lower), age (younger), and COVID-19 stressors accelerated differences. Conclusion: Health care systems should support SGM frontline health care workers through affirming trauma-informed programming.