INTRODUCTION
Roughly 20 million US adults identify as LGBTQ+,1 facing healthcare inequities, including within dermatology, where elevated incidences of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and impediments to healthcare access persist.2,3 Due to apprehensions about discrimination, sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) may resort to online search engines for self-diagnostic purposes.4 However, the interplay among skin diseases, SGMs, and societal influences remains underresearched.
Historical junctures, from the HIV/AIDS crisis to reclassifications in mental health by the American Psychological Association (APA), have molded societal perceptions regarding the LGBTQ+ community, with a pronounced impact on Generation X.5 Likewise, the Obergefell v Hodges ruling in June 2015, which legalized gay marriage, stands as a potential influencer for the current generation, playing a role in shaping their health-seeking behaviors.
This study aims to elucidate the intricate dynamics between major US societal events, specifically the Obergefell v Hodges ruling, and the impact on the dermatological interests of the LGBTQ+ community.
Historical junctures, from the HIV/AIDS crisis to reclassifications in mental health by the American Psychological Association (APA), have molded societal perceptions regarding the LGBTQ+ community, with a pronounced impact on Generation X.5 Likewise, the Obergefell v Hodges ruling in June 2015, which legalized gay marriage, stands as a potential influencer for the current generation, playing a role in shaping their health-seeking behaviors.
Search data, like Google Trends' relative search volume (RSV), have proven instrumental in comprehending disease awareness within marginalized communities.6
MATERIALS AND METHODS
US Google Trends data from January 2004 to July 2023 was extracted to analyze RSVs for "LGBTQ+ Skin Rash" compared to "Skin Rash." An Interrupted Time Series Analysis (ITSA), using Python 3.9.13, examined the effects of the June 2015 Obergefell v Hodges ruling on search patterns and its interactive effects with June Pride Month.
The "LGBTQ+ Trends ITSA," regression model employed the formula: Y = beta0 + beta1 X Time + beta2 X Intervention +
