A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics offers a more precise picture of gender-affirming care usage among transgender adolescents, challenging prevalent misconceptions. The findings, based on a large insurance database, indicate significantly lower rates of puberty blockers and hormone therapy than previously estimated.
The study analyzed claims from over 5 million patients aged 8-17 with commercial insurance between 2018 and 2022. Remarkably, fewer than 0.1% of these adolescents received such medications. Specifically, only 926 received puberty blockers and 1,927 received hormones. Critically, no patients under 12 received hormones, highlighting the cautious approach of medical professionals.
These figures contrast sharply with the often-exaggerated claims surrounding the prevalence of these treatments. "We are not seeing inappropriate use of this sort of care," stated lead author Landon Hughes, a Harvard public health researcher. "It's certainly not happening at the rate people often think it is." This conclusion has implications for ongoing debates in the US, notably those before the Supreme Court, concerning laws restricting gender-affirming care for minors.
The study's findings, however, are limited by its exclusion of Medicaid-insured youth. This potentially impacts the overall representation of the data, although it likely does not alter the primary results.
Experts suggest that the data further underscores the need for nuanced, individualized approaches to care for transgender adolescents. "Transgender adolescents come to understand their gender at different times and in different ways," said Dr. Scott Leibowitz, co-author of adolescent standards of care guidelines for the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. He emphasizes the importance of integrating developmental expertise with family involvement to establish appropriate treatment plans.
The study's contribution adds crucial evidence to the existing body of knowledge surrounding best practices in serving transgender and gender diverse youth. This timely research provides a more accurate view of the reality of medical practices and is relevant in the context of legislative and legal battles surrounding gender-affirming care for minors.
