Planning for the Future: Advance Care Planning Knowledge, Discussion and Decision-Making Among Older, Sexual Minority Adults

Background: Prior research has shown that advance care planning (ACP) knowledge and discussion varies among racial and ethnic groups. However, little is known if similar disparities exist within the sexual minority (SM) population. Objectives: To investigate racial disparities in ACP knowledge, discussion, and decision making within the SM population. Methods: Data from an online survey (N = 281) asked Black and White SM adults ages 50+ about their knowledge and actions about future healthcare wishes and their healthcare experiences. A series of multivariable logistic regressions were conducted to examine the association between ACP knowledge, discussion, and medical decision-making and race, while adjusting for other demographic and health-related variables. Results: On average, respondents were 57 years old (SD = 6.04) and just over half identified as being White (52%) and as men (55%). Most participants had heard of ACP (74%) and had an ACP discussion with someone (65%). Sixty-six percent of participants were very comfortable with medical decision-making. White SM adults had higher odds of having ACP knowledge (aOR = 3.56; 95% CI = 1.78, 7.07) and discussions (aOR = 2.43; 95% CI = 1.28, 4.61). While no racial differences were found in comfort with medical decision-making, other sociodemographics were significantly associated with comfort with medical decision-making. Conclusion: Outcomes from this work indicate persistent racial disparities in ACP within the SM population in addition to highlighting other factors that influence ACP. These findings emphasize the need for resources to address this systemic issues and to ensure that SM adults have access to and engage in ACP.