Collecting sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) information is critical to identifying and addressing health inequities that affect sexual and gender-minority populations. While healthcare organizations increasingly ask for SOGI data, little was known about how willing adults are to share this information through digital health applications. Included Health conducted this study to understand whether adults would provide SOGI information during registration for a digital health app and to identify patterns in response rates by age, race, and region.

Researchers conducted a cross-sectional analysis of over 41,000 commercially insured adults who registered for Included Health’s digital health application between September and December 2022.

• Participants were invited to answer optional demographic questions, including race and ethnicity, pronouns, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
• The study examined overall response rates and compared responses across age, race and ethnicity, and U.S. region.
• Statistical analyses identified demographic factors associated with nonresponse to SOGI questions.

Most adults were willing to share SOGI information through a digital health platform.

• 81.3% of respondents provided their gender identity.
• 81.5% provided their sexual orientation.
• Nonresponse rates were higher among older adults, and individuals living in the central and southern U.S. regions
• Nonresponse rates (18–19%) were similar to or lower than those observed in traditional clinical settings, showing strong comfort with digital disclosure.
• There were no consistent differences by race or ethnicity.

Digital health platforms can play a vital role in advancing equity and representation in healthcare data.

• Collecting SOGI information via apps can fill major data gaps and support research and policy efforts to reduce health disparities.
• Findings support ongoing calls for standardized SOGI data collection across healthcare systems and digital tools.
• With proper data security and transparency, digital platforms can help identify and address inequities that affect sexual and gender minority populations.