Study Finds Gender-Affirming Care for U.S. Youth Is Rare Despite Political Narratives

New Harvard research reveals less than 0.1% of minors with private insurance received puberty blockers or hormones between 2018 and 2022, challenging widespread misconceptions.

The study analyzed data from over 5 million adolescents with private insurance, finding extremely low rates of gender-affirming medical care usage.
Only 15-21 per 100,000 adolescents received puberty blockers, and 25-50 per 100,000 received gender-affirming hormones, with no prescriptions for children under 12.
Treatment rates aligned with established medical guidelines, typically beginning after age 14 and peaking at age 17, reflecting a cautious approach to care.
Researchers emphasized that barriers such as parental acceptance, provider availability, and restrictive state laws contribute to the low rates of access.
The findings counter political claims of widespread overuse of such treatments and highlight the careful, measured application of gender-affirming care in the U.S.