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Chronic Disease in LGBTQIA+ Populations: A Continued Narrative on Health Disparities & Needed Research

Sunday, October 12, 2025

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Proficiency: Intermediate knowledge/experience

Track: Public Health & Community Nutrition

CPE: 1.0

Description

Health disparities amongst historically marginalized populations has become more commonly understood in modern nutrition practice. With the continued expansion of dietetic education and practice to understand and better tend to the needs of diverse populations, it is important to continue to think from an intersectional lens. With a robust amount of research on the role race and ethnicity play in disease risk prevalence, we cannot neglect how nutrition and health behaviors are also dictated by gender, sexual orientation, and related stigma. This session will not just discuss chronic disease prevalence and disparities in LGBTQIA+ populations based on available data in the literature, but will aim to connect disparities to concepts such as the social determinants of health, dimensions of wellness, and minority stress theory. The goal is to understand from a holistic lens how to support these types of clients in managing or preventing disease throughout the lifespan.

Learning Objectives

  • Identify what defines a sexual and gender minority.
  • Articulate at least one unique social or behavioral variable that enhances chronic disease risk in sexual and gender minorities.
  • Describe how early intervention in childhood/adolescence could mitigate risk factors for chronic disease development in queer people later in life.

Performance Indicators

  • 2.1.1 Applies cultural humility and competence, and consideration for social determinants of health in a variety of settings (e.g., health care, education, business) to show respect for individuals, groups and populations.
  • 3.3.1 Identifies needs for and negotiates common ground with clients, inter- and intra-professional team members, and other stakeholders.
  • 12.2.4 Collects, reviews and evaluates literature and data to define target audiences.

Speaker

  • Jay Patruno photo

    Jay Patruno

    Assistant Clinical Nutrition Manager, Baystate Health

    Jay Patruno (he/his/his) MS, RDN, LDN, CPT, CNC, is a registered dietitian currently serving as the Assistant Clinical Nutrition Manager for Baystate Health in Western Massachusetts, where he manages the nutrition teams at the health system's 3 community hospitals. Jay completed his DPD at Boston University; his dietetic internship at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA; and later his graduate degree through Johnson and Wales University. Since his dietetic internship Jay has developed passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion; specifically that of queer populations. Although most of his career has been spent in various levels of care for eating disorder treatment, regardless of the care setting he aims to bring an affirming, inclusive lens to the care he provides and instills the same expectations within his team. Without fail, when you look at the existing literature the more we layer in various aspects of historically marginialized identities the health risks of of our clients only increases. Jay has presented and lectured across the country on providing nutrition care for the LGBTQIA+ community, and comes back to FNCE to continue to support the awareness and knowledge base of current dietitians in an area of practice that is growing but still needs attention.

Moderator

  • Caroline Kohler photo

    Caroline Kohler

    Clinical Nutrition Specialist II, Boston Children's Hospital

    Caroline Kohler, MS, RD, LDN, CLC is a Clinical Nutrition Specialist at Boston Children’s Hospital, where she covers a variety of inpatient specialties including pediatric malnutrition, diabetes education, ketogenic diet management, and complex care. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Nutrition and Dietetics from Boston University and is a Certified Lactation Consultant. In addition to her work with children and families, Caroline is passionate about educating future dietitians and is the founder of A+ Dietitian, a website providing accessible, comprehensive study tools for dietetics students.

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