HHS breaks with major U.S. medical groups in review of pediatric gender care

The Department of Health and Human Services released a review on Thursday that found that the quality of evidence regarding the effects of transition-related care for minors “is very low,” and that, as a result, many U.S. doctors have managed to unintentionally “fail their patients” by providing them with such care.

The Department of Health and Human Services released a review on Thursday that found that the quality of evidence regarding the effects of transition-related care for minors “is very low,” and that, as a result, many U.S. doctors have managed to unintentionally “fail their patients” by providing them with such care.

“A central theme of this Review is that many U.S. medical professionals and associations have fallen short of their duty to prioritize the health interests of young patients,” the conclusion of the 409-page report states. 

The HHS review found that there is limited evidence regarding the effects of medical interventions for youth with gender dysphoria on “psychological outcomes, quality of life, regret, or long-term health.” At the same time, it found that “evidence for harms associated with pediatric medical transition in systematic reviews” is “sparse,” but said “this finding should be interpreted with caution” because there are no studies that track and report harms. 

It also sharply criticized the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, an international nonprofit made up of medical professionals that develops guidance regarding trans health care, arguing that its guidelines are biased and politically motivated. The HHS report alleges that WPATH has influenced U.S. medical associations to create a false perception that there is consensus regarding transition care for minors despite concerns from whistleblowers and detransitioners, or the relatively small number of people who no longer identify as trans or regret transition care they received.

The review also casts doubt on the increasing number of studies in recent years that have found a significant independent association between gender dysphoria and suicide, and on studies that have linked access to transition care to improved mental health outcomes for youth.