Top Ten Tips for Transgender Health

Dr. Sherman Leis, founder of The Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery, one of the leading resources for transgender surgery and medical support in the United States, has identified 10 important trends that will affect America and its transgender community in 2014.

"Although on November 20, Transgender Remembrance Day, it's sad to see that there are still new victims to mourn each year; on the other hand, supportive laws, positive public statements by top political leaders, and growing cultural acceptance, indicate that momentum is moving in the right direction," said Leis.

His annual list of trans trends include:

1) Health care equality. Health care coverage for the transgender community is not equal yet, but it seems that 2013 was the tipping point in our favor. The start of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the trickle-down effect in the business world, which is being influenced by a growing majority of Fortune 500 companies that now include transgender surgery and care in their health insurance programs, are making true health care equality a reality.

2) More, not less violence against transgender people. Unfortunately, the fast pace of gay marriage legalization and overall LGBT acceptance breeds more anger among certain groups. That, combined with bizarre cultural trends like the "knock out game," brings violence to the general population and enhances a violent environment that will be magnified against groups such as transgender people.

3) The transgender suicide rate will be further reduced. Transgender mental health and medical care including surgery has proven to be an effective "cure" for depression among transgender people. As surgery becomes more affordable, thanks to enlightened health care insurance coverage, suicides are going to go down.

4) More children and teenagers will be coming out identifying as being transgender. Moreover, thanks to expanding transgender education, more supportive parents, and societal acceptance, these children will be able to come to terms with their gender dysphoria so much more quickly.

5) Growing independence of the transgender political movement. Initially grouped in with the gay and lesbian movements, the transgender movement is strengthening its own identity to promote and support the unique issues facing the transgender community.

6) More programs to educate health care professionals about transgender issues and care. This will result in less discrimination and greater sensitivity among health care professionals.

7) More acceptance into mainstream America. One is hearing more about transgender people in "normal" activities such as running companies, becoming politicians, starring in TV shows, winning beauty pageants and more.

8) The U.S. continues to grow towards a world leadership position in transgender surgery and quality medical care. More and more trans patients from around the world are coming to the U.S. for surgery when they previously would have gone to Asia and Europe.

9) The development of more public institutions, such as the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center in New York and the Mazzoni Center in Philadelphia, with the express purpose of supporting and assisting the transgender community, especially in the areas of healthcare, suicide prevention, transgender children, and others.

10) The Transgender Day of Remembrance gaining in public awareness where it is becoming more widely known by the general population.

Dr. Sherman Leis is one of the world's preeminent transgender surgeons and founder of The Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery, recognized as one of the leading facilities in the world specializing in gender reassignment surgery.

The Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery offers a uniquely supportive environment where one can connect with Dr. Leis' surgical and non-surgical team of dedicated specialists -- surgeons, psychologists, endocrinologists, aestheticians, speech therapists, legal experts and others.


The Philadelphia Center for Transgender Surgery is located in suburban Philadelphia at 19 Montgomery Avenue, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. For information, call 610-667-1888 or visit www.thetransgendercenter.com