Research Track
Oral Presentations
Brittany Allen, MD
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Nothing to disclose
Jay Botsford
Program Coordinator
WI Transgender Health Coalition
University of WI-Madison
Nothing to disclose
Background : National and international care guidelines support the importance of access to gender-affirming healthcare for TNG youth. While negative experiences in healthcare have been well-documented amongst TNG adults, TNG youth’s experiences in and access to healthcare have not been well-described. We conducted a needs assessment to inform strategic planning to improve health for TNG youth in Wisconsin.
Methods : We conducted an online survey of TNG youth (ages 12-22) in Wisconsin. The survey assessed access to care and experiences within healthcare, including assessment of negative experiences, access to gender-affirming care, and competency of medical and mental health providers. Youth who completed >70% of the survey were included in analysis. Descriptive analysis was performed using SPSS.
Results : Of 311 TNG youth included, 50% had not disclosed their gender identity to their PCP. Only 20% had access to TNG-competent healthcare providers and 2.3% reported insurance coverage of the full range of gender-affirming healthcare. More than half (55%) had educated their medical provider about TNG health. A large majority of TNG youth (79%) had experienced harm in healthcare.
Conclusions : TNG youth in WI experience barriers to care including limited provider competence, lack of insurance access and information related to gender-affirming care, difficulty navigating the healthcare system, and limited family support. Policy and practice recommendations include implementing developmentally appropriate informed consent procedures and promoting systems-level change to increase access to and quality of care.