The Missouri Health Equity Collaborative (MOHEC) has been collaborating with TransParent to create a series of podcasts about the parents of transgender youth.
The series provides the parents’ perspective of how families living with gender nonconfirming youth adapt over time. A 17-minute summary of the series is available along with the complete four-part series and local, state, and national resources.
The podcasts, transcripts, and resources are located on MOHEC’s website: http://www.MOHEC.org/Podcast.
“Parents offer an intimate and honest glimpse into understanding life with a gender expansive child,” explained Shannon Canfield, MPH, project director, MOHEC. “This greater understanding will help all of us, whether we are school teachers, public health professionals, policy makers, or community advocates, in our efforts to achieve health equity for all children, their families, and communities. I have learned a great deal as we (MOHEC) have worked alongside of TransParent to develop these podcasts, and I am so very grateful!”
Research on transgender youth health shows vast disparities exist:
• Transgender children and youth report high rates of harassment, physical assault, and violence, and many experience a hostile school environment.
• They often face psychological and emotional difficulties.
• Children and youth who are not allowed to express their gender-identity or are forced to conform to their birth-gender by family and in social situations often experience poor mental and emotional health, which can lead to physical health issues as they mature.
• As gender non-conforming children enter adolescence, it is often difficult to find medical providers that are trained and knowledgeable about the necessary hormonal treatments to block puberty of their born sex.
Barriers to health for transgender youth include:
• Treatments are often not covered by health insurance.
• Limited legislation protecting against bullying in schools.
• Shortage of culturally competent health care providers that are trained in transgender children and youth.
• Lack of culturally competent and trained educational system professionals.
• Lack of social programs targeted to and/or appropriate for LGBT youth.
• Lack of legal rights and societal acceptance, including proper restroom facilities, clothing choices, discussion topics, and accepting school events.
MOHEC is requesting feedback from all interested as we work to provide a more complete picture of transgender and gender-expansive youth health and wellness as well as additional resources. You may submit comments directly to Shannon Canfield and/or participate in one of our scheduled feedback sessions. To join one of these sessions please register at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-podcast-series-focuses-ontransgender-youth-health-tickets-14947543505. Comments and suggestions will be considered as we enhance the tools, resources, and future learning/awareness opportunities.
The Missouri Health Equity Collaborative (MOHEC) is a project led by the MU Center for Health Policy and was formed in collaboration with the Missouri Foundation for Health. MOHEC believes that all people have the right to better health, regardless of income, education, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or ability status.
TransParent is a St. Louis based organization dedicated to providing compassionate support and resources to parents and caregivers raising a gender independent child.
VIA PRESS RELEASE