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HHS Releases Supplement Defending Youth Gender-Treatment Review, Detailing Sparse Peer Feedback

The addendum underscores the agency’s stance after major medical societies offered limited engagement.

Overview

  • The supplement, released Tuesday, documents peer-review outreach to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Endocrine Society, and the American Psychiatric Association, with only the APA submitting comments.
  • HHS says the two societies declined to participate and contends the APA’s critique echoed issues addressed in the methodology appendix while citing studies largely already considered.
  • The underlying May review, ordered by President Trump, concluded the evidence of benefit for minors is extremely weak and highlighted potential harms including sterility and reduced bone density.
  • The authors state that many youths with gender dysphoria may desist and emphasize that the document is an evidence review rather than a clinical practice guideline.
  • Contributor Leor Sapir said the process identified no errors or omissions, and HHS cites two outside methodologists who supported the review’s approach.