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Largest Study of Its Kind to Examine Children Seeking Gender Identity Support
30 Jul
Summary
- Largest study of its kind to track 3,000 children seeking help from NHS gender services
- Aims to understand care and support needs for children presenting to gender services
- Follows Cass Review's conclusion that children had been let down by lack of research
In a groundbreaking move, academics from King's College London are set to conduct the largest study of its kind, tracking up to 3,000 children who seek support from NHS gender identity services. The new research project, dubbed Pathways Horizon, will follow the physical and mental health of these young people over several years, providing much-needed data on this rapidly growing population.
The announcement comes after the Cass Review of NHS gender identity services last year, which concluded that children had been let down by a lack of research and evidence on medical interventions in gender care. "There have been an increase of about 20-fold in the number of children and young people presenting to gender services in the UK," said the study's chief investigator, Professor Emily Simonoff.
The study will explore differences among children with autism and ADHD, as well as potential disparities based on their gender at birth. Researchers hope the findings will help shape future services and support for these young people, their families, and the clinicians working with them.
