Trusted Voices: Higher death rates among young LGBTQ+ people highlight the risks of misinformation at vulnerable moments
A recent investigation by The Guardian, based on Office for National Statistics data on sexual orientation, shows higher death rates at younger ages among LGBTQ+ people than straight people. The data does not explore gender identity separately. Read the article on The Guardian website.
The data highlights that suicide and drug- and alcohol-related deaths account for a disproportionate share of deaths among younger LGBTQ+ people. However, these factors alone do not fully explain the pattern. The findings also point to wider health issues linked to gaps in prevention, access to care, and inequality.
'Risks sit within context of harm'
Further reporting by The Independent highlights higher rates of drug and alcohol use and related deaths among LGBTQ+ people. Peter Nesbitt of MindOut argues that these risks sit within a wider context of harm.
This includes experiences of hate crime, persecution, ongoing conversion practices that remain legal, and higher rates of depression. Over time, these pressures can contribute to disproportionate drug and alcohol related deaths.
Together, these findings suggest that poorer outcomes cannot be explained by individual behaviour alone. They reflect wider social, systemic and information environments.
Periods of distress, uncertainty or fear are when people are most likely to search for health information. For LGBTQ+ people, these searches often take place in a context shaped by stigma, past negative experiences with services or fear of being misunderstood. This can increase exposure to misleading, inaccurate or harmful information.
Read the piece on the Independent online.
'Misinformation shapes beliefs'
Evidence published in JMIR Infodemiology shows that health misinformation can reinforce stigma against both health services and marginalised identities, discouraging people from seeking care or engaging openly with health information. The 2025 scoping review found that misinformation shapes beliefs and health-seeking behaviour, reinforces discriminatory social norms and disrupts access to equitable care. It also highlights how digital platforms can structurally enable the spread of misleading information while limiting the visibility of credible sources.
Read the full research study on sexual and reproductive health misinformation in digital spaces
'Normalise seeking support'
For LGBTQ+ people facing stigma and inequality, this dynamic increases risk. This makes it especially important that the information services produce is clear, evidence-based and inclusive. It also highlights the role of trusted organisations in reaching people through everyday, public-facing platforms as a matter of course, not only at moments of crisis, and doing so in ways that build confidence, reduce stigma and support people to engage safely with care when they need it.
Dom Horton from Rethink Mental Illness, a PIF TICK certified organisation, shared advice on how organisations can produce trusted, inclusive health information for LGBTQ+ people:
“Trusted, inclusive health information helps LGBTQ+ people understand their options, feel safe seeking care, know their rights, and make informed choices. It reduces fear, challenges stigma, and helps overcome barriers like discrimination, misinformation, and lack of understanding.
"Clear, relatable health information helps people recognise early warning signs, understand that problems are common and treatable, and know where to get help. This normalises seeking support, reduces shame, and encourages people to ask for help before reaching crisis point. When producing content that LGBTQ+ people may rely on at vulnerable points, we suggest using inclusive language and avoid assumptions about identity or relationships.
"It’s also important to involve LGBTQ+ people in creating and reviewing content, and to share accurate information and safe support options.”