To examine the impact of the current sociopolitical climate on research conducted by clinicians providing care for transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) youths.
Approach:
Study Design: A cross-sectional survey involving US healthcare professionals delivering care in states with varying policy environments regarding gender-affirming care.
Key Findings:
More than half of US states have implemented bans on gender-affirming care for TGD youths.
Federal policies are emerging that may eliminate funding for TGD health research and discourage care provision.
Researchers reported pressures to self-censor and postpone research due to feelings of unsafety and lack of support.
Clinicians in states with legislative bans reported the highest frequency of barriers to research.
Concerns were raised about the degradation of the research ecosystem and its impact on longitudinal studies.
Interpretation:
The research landscape for TGD health is increasingly complex due to sociopolitical challenges, affecting both current research efforts and future workforce in the field.
Limitations:
The study focuses specifically on TGD health research, which may not encompass broader implications for other health domains.
Concerns regarding participant trust and privacy may hinder research participation.
Conclusion:
Restoring funding alone is insufficient to address the fractured research landscape; coordinated efforts across various domains are necessary to support TGD health research.
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