The topic of transgender rights and access to healthcare has been a highly debated and politicized issue in recent years. Many have expressed concern that too many transgender kids are being prescribed hormones and puberty blockers, but a new study has found that this is simply not the case. In fact, the data shows that less than 0.1% of transgender and gender-diverse teens are prescribed these medications.
This study, conducted by researchers at Harvard University and FOLX Health, looked at over 5 million private insurance claims filed between 2018 and 2022. The findings revealed that the vast majority of transgender and gender-diverse youth are not receiving gender-affirming hormones or puberty blockers. In fact, no patients under the age of 12 received gender-affirming hormones, and the rates of puberty blockers were higher for patients assigned female at birth, who typically experience an earlier onset of puberty.
These findings are significant, as they challenge the narrative that has been pushed by some that millions of children are being given hormones and that this type of care is being handed out too freely. The reality is that transgender youth face significant barriers to accessing the healthcare they need, and many are forced to navigate a complex and often hostile system in order to get the care they require.
The study’s lead author, Landon Hughes, noted that the politicization of gender-affirming care for transgender youth has been driven by a narrative that is not supported by the facts. The data shows that transgender and gender-diverse youth are not being over-medicalized, but rather, they are being denied access to the care they need.
It’s worth noting that the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, the Endocrine Society, and the American Academy of Pediatrics all support the use of gender-affirming hormones and puberty blockers as a safe and effective way to treat gender dysphoria in youth. These organizations have developed guidelines for the use of these medications, and the study found that the vast majority of providers are following these guidelines.
The study’s findings are a powerful reminder that we need to prioritize the health and well-being of transgender and gender-diverse youth, rather than relying on misinformation and fear-mongering. By providing access to safe and effective healthcare, we can help these young people thrive and live healthy, happy lives. It’s time to put the needs of transgender and gender-diverse youth above politics and ideology, and to work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.