The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a peer-reviewed report that found medical procedures to alter a child's biological sex pose serious long-term dangers to children. (Pedro Lazaro Fernandez/Reuters)
The study was peer-reviewed and authored by nine medical doctors, PhD holders and others who previously have spoken out against the dangers surrounding children attempting to alter their biological sex. The authors included experts associated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Duke University, the Society for Evidence Based Gender Medicine, the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, and other colleges and groups.
The November report was an update to HHS' May report that reviewed the evidence and best practices for children with gender dysphoria, which was criticized by a handful of medical groups for not identifying the study's authors and allegedly misrepresenting a medical consensus on the matter.
HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon told Fox News Digital Thursday that for the updated report the agency invited "a diverse group of individuals and organizations to participate in the peer-review process," including organizations, such as the American Psychiatric Association, that support youth medical procedures related to gender dysphoria.
He added that HHS also invited the Endocrine Society and the American Academy of Pediatrics to take part in the study's review, but that the medical groups "declined HHS’ invitation to participate."
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Fox News Digital reached out to the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Medical Association Thursday morning but did not immediately receive replies.
The Endocrine Society sent Fox News Digital a lengthy response when approached for comment, which included that children using puberty-delaying medication or hormone therapy is "rare and reflects a cautious approach."
"The widely accepted view of the professional medical community is that medical treatment is appropriate for transgender and gender-diverse teenagers who experience persistent feelings of gender dysphoria. Medical studies show that access to this care improves the well-being of transgender and nonbinary people," the statement continued.
Democrats have celebrated so-called "gender-affirming care" for children in recent years, with transgender issues becoming a political football under the first Trump administration and into the Biden administration.
Republican leaders at the state level in jurisdictions such as Florida and Arkansas worked to ban medical procedures for children under the age of 18, citing medical concern over such procedures and out of self-described effort to prevent children from making irreversible decisions before they exit high school.
Democrats have galvanized around the platform of protecting such medical procedures, citing endorsements of major medical associations such as the American Psychological Association for adopting policies supporting "affirming evidence-based care" for children who identify as trans and nonbinary as having positive impacts on kids and adults alike with gender dysphoria. Supporters of medical procedures aimed at altering a child's sex argue preventing such medical care can lead to depression and anxiety, and even suicide.
The American Psychological Association reviewed the report and was included in its "Peer Reviews and Replies." The medical group lamented that it "lacks sufficient transparency and clarity."
President Donald Trump and the Make America Healthy Commission he established earlier in 2025 have doubled down that there are only two biological sexes. (Francis Chung/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Fox News Digital reached out to Hirono's office for comment on HHS' report but did not immediately receive a reply.
President Donald Trump and the Make America Healthy Commission he established earlier in 2025 have doubled down that there are only two biological sexes, including Trump signing an executive order declaring the U.S. only recognizes male and female sexes while also ending "radical and wasteful" diversity, equity and inclusion program within the government.
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"This report marks a turning point for American medicine," National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya said in the press release. "The evidence in it meticulously documents the risks the profession has imposed on vulnerable children. At the NIH, we are committed to ensuring that science, not ideology, guides America’s medical research."
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/hhs-gold-standard-study-flips-gender-affirming-care-its-head-dems-continue-pushing-issue-scotus