Washington, DC has the highest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) population (10 percent) among states in the nation (Gates and Newport, 2013). In highlighting the numerous research gaps surrounding LGBT mental and physical health and health services, a 2011 Institute of Medicine report stated that, “the existing body of evidence is sparse and that substantial research is needed” (IOM, 2011, p. 8). National data show that LGBT groups carry a “cluster of risk factors” that lead to greater cancer incidence and later stage diagnosis (National LGBT Cancer Network, 2013). However, a 2015 GW Cancer Institute report on LGBT health disparities in Washington, DC found there remains a lack of information about the health status and needs of LGBT individuals locally.

The proposed project seeks to better understand the health concerns of LGBT individuals in DC in order to develop research that will compare the effectiveness of interventions designed to reduce risk, alleviate disparities, and improve cancer-related patient-reported outcomes.

During the nine-month project period, we will:

1. Expand existing partnerships with LGBT-serving community-based organizations
2. Recruit additional LGBT patients/community members to participate on a community advisory board (CAB)
3. Work with the CAB to refine a survey to distribute through community partners and other channels to prioritize health needs and potential research strategies to mitigate disparities
4. Work with the CAB to prioritize top research needs based on survey data and begin to develop possible CER approaches to one topic