The American Academy of Pediatrics reaffirmed its support of gender-related treatments for children while also saying it will systematically review related medical research, according to an Aug. 4 New York Times report.
The AAP first announced its support for gender-based healthcare for youth in 2018 in a policy statement that urged "support and care of transgender and gender-diverse children and adolescents." In the 2018 statement, the APP called the treatments "essential" and suggested they be covered by health insurance companies.
Gender-related healthcare for children is illegal in 19 states, but the APP has condemned legislative bans, calling them a "dangerous intrusion into complex medical decisions between doctors and families," the report said
Some pediatricians have been asking for a "closer look at the evidence in recent years," as the number of children who identify as transgender has increased, according to the Times.
"The board has confidence that the existing evidence is such that the current policy is appropriate," Mark Del Monte, CEO of the AAP, told the Times. "At the same time, the board recognized that additional detail would be helpful here."