Utah’s Own Study Debunks Its Ban on Trans Health Care
As the Supreme Court prepares to rule on United States v. Skrmetti—a pivotal case that could allow states to ban gender-affirming care for trans youth—a new report from Utah is making headlines for all the right reasons.
Commissioned by Utah legislators who were openly skeptical of gender-affirming care, the report is now the most comprehensive review of the medical literature to date, clocking in at over 1,000 pages. After more than two years of exhaustive analysis, the findings are clear: bans on this care cannot be justified by the quality or quantity of evidence, nor by concerns about safety, effectiveness, or potential regret.
What the Report Found
Commissioned by lawmakers who questioned this care
1,000+ pages reviewing more than 230 studies
Over two years of in-depth analysis
Findings: Gender-affirming care is safe, effective, and regret is rare
Highlights from the Report
“The conventional wisdom among non-experts has long been that there are limited data on the use of GAHT in pediatric patients with GD. However, results from our exhaustive literature searches have led us to the opposite conclusion.”
“[T]he consensus of the evidence supports that the treatments are effective in terms of mental health, psychosocial outcomes, and the induction of body changes consistent with the affirmed gender in pediatric GD patients.”
“The evidence also supports that the treatments are safe in terms of changes to bone density, cardiovascular risk factors, metabolic changes, and cancer.”
“With regards to any misgivings that stakeholders may have about allowing pediatric patients to receive pharmacologic (and frequently surgical) treatments over concerns about future regret, we found (based on the N=32 studies that addressed it) that there is virtually no regret associated with receiving the treatments, even in the very small percentages of patients who ultimately discontinued them.”
“Based on the reviewed evidence included in this report, it is our expert opinion that policies to prevent access to and use of GAHT for treatment of GD in pediatric patients cannot be justified based on the quantity or quality of medical science findings or concerns about potential regret in the future, and that high-quality guidelines are available to guide qualified providers in treating pediatric patients who meet diagnostic criteria.”
“Patients that were seen at the gender clinic before the age of 18 had a lower risk of suicide compared to those referred as an adult.”
Why This Matters
This report was created at the request of lawmakers who were already trying to restrict this care. And yet, the science spoke for itself. The findings reinforce what every major medical association in the U.S. has long stated: gender-affirming care is safe, effective, and often life-saving.
It’s a powerful rebuttal to misinformation—and a critical data point as the Supreme Court considers whether states can override evidence-based medical care with political agendas.
The takeaway is simple: Trans youth deserve access to the health care they need. This report confirms they’re not just supported by their communities—they’re backed by science.
If you’re a parent or caregiver trying to navigate this landscape and support your trans or gender-diverse child with confidence and care, I offer private parent coaching to help. Together, we can cut through the fear, clarify what’s real, and center what your child actually needs. Learn more or book a consultation here.
