Overview
- HHS released a finalized pediatric gender-care review with a 200+ page supplement of post-publication peer reviews and author responses, and it publicly named nine contributors.
- The report’s core conclusion remains that evidence supporting puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgeries for minors is very weak, with potential long-term risks such as infertility and reduced bone and cognitive health.
- The authors recommend a psychotherapy-first approach and advise limiting or pausing medical interventions for minors until stronger long-term safety and efficacy data exist.
- HHS says the AAP and Endocrine Society declined to participate in peer review; the APA submitted a critique alleging insufficient transparency and selective evidence, which the authors rebutted as reviewers including former Endocrine Society president Richard Santen praised the report’s scientific soundness.
- AMA and AAP issued a joint statement rejecting claims in the report and warning of harm to vulnerable youth, while HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya promoted the findings as a turning point for medicine.