UK Launches Major Study on Transgender Youth Health Care

King's College London is launching a major observational study later this year to track the health and well-being of up to 3,000 transgender and gender nonconforming youth in the UK who are seeking National Health Service treatment. This initiative, funded by the NHS and a government research agency, aims to gather more robust evidence on the long-term outcomes of gender-related interventions for young people. The study follows a ban on puberty blockers for those under 18, except in clinical trials, prompted by a review highlighting the need for more research. Researchers will conduct annual surveys on participants' quality of life, body image, and gender identity, as well as their physical, social, and emotional well-being, over several years without altering existing treatments.