A new study from the NIH National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke on the occurrence of active epilepsy in sexual and gender minorities (SGM) highlights the importance of health disparities research. It found that SGM individuals—those who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, transgender, non-binary, or gender-diverse—are twice as likely to report active epilepsy compared to their non-SGM counterparts. “Active epilepsy” means a person has been diagnosed with epilepsy and has had more than one seizure in the past year or is currently taking anti-seizure medication. 

A key piece of ORWH’s mission is working to advance our knowledge of how sex and gender influence health and disease. Applying this knowledge across research and clinical practice is crucial to improving the health of all. ORWH leads and supports several research programs that explore the influences of sex and gender in health and disease, such as the Specialized Centers of Research Excellence on Sex Differences program and the sex and gender research project grant.