New Study Highlights Transgender Americans' Fears Over Potential Loss of Gender-Affirming Healthcare

A recent study conducted by the University of Vermont reveals that many gender-diverse individuals in the United States are deeply concerned about losing access to essential gender-affirming healthcare services. This research, published in JAMA Network Open, found that fears among transgender, nonbinary, and intersex communities are significant, particularly in the context of current and potential policy changes. The survey included 489 adults aged 18 and over, highlighting that every participant believed their access to gender-affirming care—comprising surgeries, hormone treatments, and mental health support—was under threat.

Alarmingly, nearly one-third of respondents indicated they might consider self-administering hormones if official medical channels become unavailable. Over 21% of participants either actively or passively contemplated suicidal thoughts as a result of these fears, underscoring the mental health risks associated with potential healthcare restrictions.

Professor Teresa Graziano, a nurse and lead author of the study, emphasized the vulnerability of this population, especially against the backdrop of President Donald Trump’s campaign promises to rollback protections for over two million transgender individuals. The study’s timing coincides with a series of executive orders that challenge federal recognition of gender beyond the binary male and female classifications and aim to ban gender-affirming care for minors.

Current legal efforts have temporarily halted some bans, such as proposals to restrict gender-affirming treatments covered under the Affordable Care Act. Nonetheless, court rulings, such as the June Supreme Court decision upholding Tennessee's restriction on minors' gender-affirming care, signal a challenging legal landscape.

Graziano advocates for a harm reduction approach to healthcare for gender-diverse populations, stressing that clinicians should prioritize health and well-being while avoiding judgment. She warns that denying access can lead individuals to unsafe, unregulated methods of hormone therapy, risking severe health complications like osteoporosis and other side effects due to improper dosages.

Moreover, distrust and secrecy may develop between patients and healthcare providers, hampering effective treatment and risking further mental health decline. Graziano highlights the importance of supporting these communities, especially as policy debates threaten to limit their access to lifesaving care.

As the conversation around transgender healthcare continues, this research underscores the urgent need for compassionate and evidence-based approaches to ensure the safety and mental health of gender-diverse individuals.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-reveals-transgender-americans-medical.html