Doctor Withholding Study on Puberty Blockers – JP

Johanna Olson-Kennedy is withholding a study on puberty blockers due to fears of it being politicized, according to a report from The New York Times.

Olson-Kennedy began a study in 2015 involving 95 children receiving hormone blockers as part of their “gender-affirming care” for mental health. The minors were followed for two years.

The NYT wrote that the American study indicated no positive changes to the minors’ well-being.

The doctor asserted that the children in the study were “in really good shape when they come in, and they’re in really good shape after two years.” The statement conflicted with Olson-Kennedy’s previous description of the adolescents.

“Elevated depression symptoms were endorsed by 28.6% of GnRHa cohort youth, and 22.1% endorsed clinically significant anxiety. About a quarter (23.6%) endorsed lifetime suicidal ideation, with 7.9% reporting a past suicide attempt. A total of 316 youth were enrolled in the GAH cohort.” the cohort characterization read, adding, “Elevated depression symptoms were endorsed by 51.3% of the GAH cohort, and 57.3% endorsed clinically significant anxiety. Two-thirds (66.6%) endorsed lifetime suicidal ideation, with 24.6% reporting a past suicide attempt.”

Olson-Kennedy’s team has not released the study. “I do not want our work to be weaponized,” she said. “It has to be exactly on point, clear and concise. And that takes time.”

The project received $9.7 million in government funding.