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Transgender youth should have access to comprehensive health care, says the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in a new policy statement.
Jason Richard Rafferty, MD, MPH, EdM and EdM explain that children and adolescents who identify as transgender and gender-specific often face health-related disparities, such as barriers to quality care and health resources mental. co-authors of the AAP Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health, Adolescence and the Health and Well-being of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People.
The document, the first AAP policy statement on the subject and published online in Pediatrics, recommends that pediatricians provide a "safe and inclusive clinical space" for these people.
To provide this care, write the authors, begin with appropriate medical education throughout the medical school, residency and continuing medical education to train health professionals for transgender and differentiated youth.
At the center of this care is child welfare – pediatricians not only "advocate, educate, and develop liaison relationships with school districts and other community organizations to promote acceptance and inclusion of children. all children without fear of harassment. , exclusion or intimidation because of gender expression ", but also have a role to play in advocating for policies to protect young transgender people from discrimination.
From a health care perspective, this involves ensuring that insurance plans provide specific coverage for transgender people, including hormone coverage and other medical needs related to the transition, surgery affirming gender and psychological resources. Although there is no evidence of a direct link between a transgender identity and a mental illness, the authors of the policy pointed out that a number of factors, including stigmatization Discrimination, social rejection and internal conflict can increase the risk of contracting a mental illness. problems such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders and suicide.
The authors also pointed out that the 2015 clinical practice guidelines of the American Psychological Association were a valuable resource for mental health providers.
The AAP statement also recommended that electronic health record and billing systems be specifically designed to "respect the affirmed gender identity of each patient" by providing updates to the record without creating duplicate tables, while maintaining confidentiality.
Family inclusion and support are critical to the overall well-being of transgender and gender-differentiated youth, and family therapy is an ideal resource not only for transgender teens, but also for parents, statement continues .
"We know that family and community support is essential to the healthy development of any child, and non-sexist children are no different," Rafferty said in a statement. "The most important thing is that parents listen to, respect and support their child's self-expressed identity.This encourages open conversations that can be difficult but essential to the child's mental health and resilience. and the well-being of the family. "
Cora Breuner, Chair of the AAP Adolescence Commission, said, "We encourage families, schools and communities to value every child for the present, even at a young age. As pediatricians and parents, we also appreciate how difficult and sometimes confusing it can be for family members to realize the experience and feelings of their child. "
Rafferty and his co-authors reported having no relevant conflict of interest.
2018-09-17T09: 30: 00-0400
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