USPATH Presidential Newsletter - November 2024

Dear USPATH colleagues,

The horrors persist but so do I.

Your USPATH is committed to advancing the science to improve the health and well-being of transgender and non-binary persons of all ages everywhere. We remain focused on producing scientifically rigorous evidence that evaluates all components of gender-affirming care and aims to optimize that care. We remain committed to elevating the voices of all committed to supporting the humanity of transgender and non-binary persons.

We are not going anywhere.

As such, we have been very busy the past month (and recent weeks) to buttress our relationships with partner organizations and safeguard the advances in science policy we’ve garnered over the years.

Earlier this month, I attended the American Medical Association (AMA) Interim Meeting where I serve as the Delegate for the new LGBTQ+ Section. We were successful in having the AMA House of Delegates adopt policies that

1) safeguard access to sports participation,

2) advocate for greater public health preparedness for MPOX,

3) ensure access to gender affirming care in carceral settings,

4) and evaluate best practices for inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity data in electronic health records.

Additionally, the AMA Board of Trustees released a report that was adopted which “unambiguously supports access to and insurance coverage of medically necessary gender-affirming care” Additionally, “the AMA vigorously advocates for equitable payment policies, relying on the evidence-based professional guidelines and recommendations set by professional medical associations, as well as individual physician clinical judgment, on questions of appropriate clinical criteria.” The AMA House of Delegates overwhelmingly supported this.

During our November USPATH board meeting we covered several items that I would like to highlight:

1. Our Student and Trainee SIG had a highly successful virtual mentoring event on Sunday, October 20. We plan to offer this again in the future.
2. Our Research Committee is announcing a call for applicants to join the committee. You will receive a separate email detailing the application process.
3. USPATH 2025 in Albuquerque, NM planning is underway. Dr. Jo Olson-Kennedy will be leading planning for our next Scientific Symposium. We are also working with people local to Albuquerque to ensure local voices are part of the programming. If you would like to have input on this, please email uspath@PROTECTED.
4. Our member survey in collaboration with Whitman-Walker Institute will be launched soon (yes, we are still planning to launch this). Please be sure to complete this survey and share with your colleagues (even folks who are not yet members of USPATH).
5. GroupMe for SIG Members: Students and trainees can join the GroupMe channel directly to connect with the USPATH Student and Trainee SIG. 

We are seeking applicants to serve with us on  our board of directors. You will receive a separate email detailing the application process. All this to say, expect a few more emails from us in the coming weeks.

While we do our best to monitor and respond to every issue related to transgender health, we are not omniscient. We appreciate any USPATH member sending us local or national issues that warrant USPATH consideration to uspath@PROTECTED.

As we conclude Transgender Awareness Week and honor Transgender Day of Remembrance I ask for your continued support. We expect to face many challenges and will be living with uncertainty for the coming months and years. What is certain is that we remain committed to science, the expertise of people providing care, and the experiences of the communities we serve.

I am not going anywhere.

In Solidarity,

Carl G Streed, Jr., MD, MPH, FACP, FAHA

President, US Professional Association for Transgender Health

What I’ve been reading lately (in no particular order):

Will return next month

Conferences I’m looking forward to (in order by date):

USPATH Scientific Symposium, Albuquerque, NM, September 26-30, 2025.

If you would like to have your event considered for advertising in future newsletters, please email USPATH@PROTECTED

Whitman-Walker Institute Webinar Series - Registration Now Open

Over the next several weeks, Whitman-Walker Institute will be hosting a 4-part webinar series to discuss potential impacts on trans healthcare, research, and care provision. The first two webinars are now open for registration! Note that these are geared towards healthcare providers and you will need to register with an email address that is associated with a Zoom account. The webinars will not be recorded. 

Webinar #1: Communications for the short and long haul

Date: Tuesday, November 26th 
Time: 2pm-3pm ET
Description: For the past several years, transgender medical care has been a focal talking point in the media and among state and federal lawmakers. Comments about this care have repeatedly been brought up this election cycle, in the courts, and will undoubtedly continue into 2025 and beyond. In this webinar, communications experts will discuss common misconceptions about healthcare for trans people, where public opinion stands, and the narratives being shared ahead of the upcoming Supreme Court case, U.S. v Skrmetti.

Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dDyWMN_wSnWWj1JQMSzZag#/registration

Webinar #2: Trans research 2025 and beyond

Date: Tuesday, December 3rd
Time: 2pm-3pm ET
Description: Research on the health and well-being of transgender communities is increasingly critical in the current politicized climate. This webinar will discuss how the election results may impact the future of trans health research. Panelists will discuss ways in which the new administration may impact LGBTQ research priorities, funding for trans health projects, recruitment, and dissemination of research for policy making. Panelists include well-established researchers in the field of transgender health and representatives from national LGBTQ+ organizations with research priorities in this field.

Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dKObYZfhRqy621m2yuk6XA#/registration