Qualitative study reveals chronic illness and discrimination concerns among older transgender women, highlighting the need for strengths-based health promotion.
Key Points
To examine the experiences of health, chronic disease, and aging among older transgender women.
Conducted qualitative interviews with transgender women aged 45 years and older (n = 19) in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Analyzed interview data using narrative and thematic analytical techniques.
Participants expressed persistent worry regarding aging-related health conditions and past healthcare discrimination, commonly summarized by the phrase “siempre hay algo” (“there is always something”).
Concerns regarding chronic illness and systemic discrimination led participants to proactively adopt health-promoting behaviors, including increased physical exercise and reduced alcohol consumption.