Publicly fund nonsurgical procedures for transgender, gender diverse people
To support transgender and gender-diverse people, governments should consider publicly funding hair removal and other minimally invasive procedures, authors argue in a commentary in CMAJ ( Canadian Medical Association Journal ).
“Minimally invasive procedures such as hair removal and facial injectables may support the process of transition in a timely fashion; evidence supports their therapeutic benefits in the field of gender-affirming care,” write Drs. Katie Ross and Sarah Fraser, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The 2022 World Professional Association for Transgender Health Standards of Care Version 8 (WPATH SOC8) recommends that hair removal and facial surgeries, in addition to hormone therapy, are appropriate components of gender-affirming care.
Although hormones and surgery are common in helping people transition, hair removal and facial transformation are important for many people in gender transition. These relatively low-risk options are more accessible than surgical care with long wait-lists, and can be complementary to other approaches.
“Public funding for such procedures, which are currently funded in only 2 jurisdictions in Canada, warrants serious consideration in all provinces and territories,” they conclude.
"Minimally invasive procedures in gender-affirming care: the case for public funding across Canada" is published August 14, 2023.
MEDIA NOTE: Please use the following public link after the embargo lift:
Commentary: https://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.221875
Media contact for commentary: Dr. Sarah Fraser, sarah@sarahfrasermd.com
General media contact: Kim Barnhardt, CMAJ , kim.barnhardt@cmaj.ca
Please credit CMAJ, not the Canadian Medical Association (CMA). CMAJ is an independent medical journal; views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of its owner, CMA Impact Inc., a CMA company, or CMA.
Canadian Medical Association Journal
Commentary/editorial
People
Minimally invasive procedures in gender-affirming care: the case for public funding across Canada
14-Aug-2023