Trans Kids’ Healthcare: Are We Getting It Wrong?
4Description
Health care for trans kids has been in the spotlight, with battles over what the science says and tons of U.S. states restricting the care that children can get. And then there’s a new report out of the UK, called the Cass Review, saying that a bunch of the evidence that doctors have been relying on to treat trans kids is “remarkably weak.” So what’s going on here? What is the best health care for trans kids? We sort through the science with Professor Stephen Russell, Dr. Cal Horton, and Dr. Ada Cheung.
UPDATE 6/6/24: In a previous version of this episode, we said a study was published this year, when it was actually published last year. The episode has been updated.
- Mental health resources, including suicide lifelines, for around the world: spotify.com/resources
Trans Lifeline: A Trans peer support hotline: 1-877-565-8860
Trevor Project: crisis support services to LGBTQ young people: Call 1-866-488-7386 or Text ‘START’ to 678-678
Find our transcript here: bit.ly/ScienceVsTransKidsCassReviewTranscript
Here are links to our previous episodes about the science of being transgender and misinformation about care for trans kids.
In this episode, we cover:
(00:00 ) The battle over care for trans kids
(02:45 ) What to do when a kid wants to change their name and pronouns
(13:44 ) Do puberty blockers help trans kids’ mental health?
(20:44 ) Does hormone therapy help trans people’s mental health?
(25:25 ) How often are people "retransitioning"?
This episode was produced by Meryl Horn and Wendy Zukerman, with help from Michelle Dang and Rose Rimler. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Fact checking by Eva Dasher. Consulting by Rebecca Kling. Mix and sound design by Bobby Lord. Music written by Bobby Lord, Bumi Hidaka and Peter Leonard. Thanks so much to all the researchers we spoke with for this episode, including Blake Cavve, Dr. Doug VanderLaan, and Dr. Quinnehtukqut McLamore. And a very special thanks to the trans folks and their families we talked to, Christopher Suter, the Zukerman Family and Joseph Lavelle Wilson.
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Thank you for having the courage to do a thorough report on this, especially in the current political climate when you KNOW you will be met with misinformed hate for doing so.
Thank you for taking a close look here. Some people need to listen to scientists more about this issue. The last time all the knowledge was lost about this topic (at least in western culture) it was not so much out there then it is now. Progress comes in waves. And you are part of it.
"like, what happens when you get boobs and start your period when you ARE a boy" No Wendy, a human who grows breasts and menstruates upon reaching puberty is known as a FEMALE. Science FACT. You should have said "when you BELIEVE you are a boy".