Topline
According to a long-running study published in Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, transgender people are twice likely to die than cisgender individuals. This difference, researchers say, underscores the need to improve social acceptance and medical care.
A Dutch study found that trans people are twice as likely die than cisgenders, according to a Dutch study. Getty Images
The Key Facts
According to an analysis of nearly 3,000 medical records of transgender women and 1,600 transmen treated at the Amsterdam University Medical Center (which treats approximately 90% of the country's trans people), the increased risk didn't decrease over the five decades between 1972 and 2018. Researchers found that trans women were at higher risk of dying from HIV-related illnesses, heart disease, and suicide than cis males. The study showed that there were no differences between transgender and cisgender males in terms of the risk of death, but the group was nearly twice as likely to die from suicide than cis females, particularly for non-natural causes. Researchers said that these findings support the notion that transgender individuals are not at greater risk from certain conditions, although gender-affirming hormone therapy can increase the chance of developing them. However, most of the causes of death have not been shown to be a result of this. Martin den Heijer, the lead author, stated that increasing acceptance of transgender people and improving their healthcare, especially for HIV, heart disease, and tobacco use, will help reduce the death rate. However, further research is needed to determine if hormone treatment poses a long-term risk.
Important Background
It is well-known that transgender people and those who are not gender-conforming, especially trans women, are at greater risk of dying or getting sick than the general population. This may be due to hormone therapy, which has not been proven to be a contributing factor. Trans adults are more likely than cisgender adult to have suicidal thoughts or attempt suicide. They also have a higher risk of experiencing homelessness, violence, discrimination, and other problems.
What You Don't Know
The study is observational and is based on medical records. It is possible that other factors could have contributed to the higher death rates for transgender people. It is important to be cautious when comparing the findings with other regions that may have different types of gender-affirming hormonal treatment. Emory University's Dr. Vin Tangpricha commented in a related comment that gender-affirming hormone treatments for trans women in the U.S. differ from those in the U.K., which could pose safety concerns.
Important Quote
Christel de Blok, the first author of the study, stated that most deaths and suicides related to HIV were in the first decade of the study. This suggests that increased social acceptance, access to support and better HIV treatments may have contributed to a decrease in deaths among transgender individuals in recent years.
Continue reading
Trends in mortality over the past five decades for adult transgender patients receiving hormone therapy: A report from The Lancet's Amsterdam cohort of gender dysphoria.
Coronavirus Economy is Particularly Harsh for Transgender People. (NYT).
The year 2021 is set to be the most deadly yet for transgender and gender nonconforming Americans (Guardian).
A Beginner's Guide To Hormone Replacement Therapy (Vice).
Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273–TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741-741 if you think about suicide.
