LGBT+ people nearly three times as likely to die of drug poisoning, official figures show
Official figures show that gay, trans and non-binary people are almost three times more likely to die from drug poisoning than heterosexual people, and the risk of alcohol-related death is almost twice as high.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has analyzed differences in causes of death by sexual orientation among adults in England and Wales over three years for the first time.
The head of a mental health charity for LGBT+ people said he was not surprised by the findings because rates of depression are much higher in this population.
Peter Nesbitt, director of Mind Out, said it was the challenges and prejudices in society that put people at risk of turning to drugs and alcohol, not their sexuality making them more prone to doing so.
He said: “People are still being evicted, conversion therapy is still legal and there is a lot of homophobia and transphobia out there.”
In surveys, 52 percent of all LGBT+ individuals 67 percent of survey respondents said they experienced depression 70 percent of transgender people have experienced depression, and 70 percent 16 percent of non-binary people experienced depression, compared to 16 percent of the general population.
He said LGBT+ people were more likely to experience hate crime, less likely to report it, and more likely to be homeless, especially young people.
ONS statistics show that from March 2021 to November 2024, people who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or “other” (LGB+) had a 1.3 times greater risk of dying from any cause than straight or heterosexual people.
The age-standardized mortality rate was 982.8 per 100,000 people for the LGB+ group compared to 752.6 per 100,000 people for the heterosexual group.
In alcohol-related deaths, ONS found The risk among the LGB+ group was 1.8 times higher; With a death rate of 51.8 deaths per 100,000 people, the rate was 29.5 in other groups.
The risk of death from drug poisoning was 2.8 times higher in the LGB+ group; 57.5 deaths per 100,000 people, 20.6 deaths per 100,000 people.
Coronary heart disease was the main cause of death in both groups; This rate was 11.9 percent in the LGB+ group and 10.7 percent in the other group.
The data also shows that suicide is the leading cause of death in younger age ranges for both groups, but death rates by suicide are “markedly higher” for those who identify as LGB+.
While 45.3 percent of deaths among 16-24 year olds were suicides, this rate was 26.6 percent for heterosexual people in this age group.
This figure was also higher for people aged 25-34 and 35-44.
Mr Nesbitt said repeated “microaggressions”, such as attempts to make a joke or deliberately using the wrong pronouns, left people feeling insulted or belittled.
Catherine Meads, professor of health at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), who has previously researched the issue, said: “Young people who identify as LGBT+ are also almost twice as likely to die by suicide as their heterosexual peers. This is a horrifying statistic and I hope it will spark urgent debate at the highest levels because these deaths are preventable.”
Prof Meads said higher rates of death from heart disease could be due to higher smoking rates in LGB+ groups.
A spokesperson for Stonewall said LGBTQ+ rights and freedoms were being discussed around the world.
“Prejudice against marginalized groups is on the rise; hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community and other marginalized groups are on the rise, and less than half of people who identify as LGBTQ+ feel safe holding a partner’s hand in public.
“We shouldn’t make a direct connection between this feverish atmosphere for LGBTQ+ communities and these new ONS data, but they do make it difficult to read.”
If you are experiencing distressed emotions or having difficulty coping, you can talk or email the Samaritans confidentially on 116 123 (UK and ROI). jo@samaritans.orgor visit Samaritans Website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are a US resident and you or someone you know needs mental health help right now, call or text 988 or visit: 988lifeline.org To access online chat on the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that anyone can access 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country you can go to: www.befrienders.org To find a helpline near you
