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Dr. Olson-Kennedy Withholds $9.7M NIH Study Showing Puberty Blockers Don't Improve Mental Health

Oct 23, 2024, 05:13 PM

A recent investigation revealed that a U.S. study on puberty blockers, led by Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy of Children's Hospital Los Angeles, has remained unpublished for nine years due to concerns over political ramifications. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with $9.7 million, involved 70 transgender youth and aimed to assess the impact of puberty blockers on mental health outcomes. Reports indicate that the study found puberty blockers did not lead to significant improvements in mental health among participants. Dr. Olson-Kennedy reportedly stated, "I do not want our work to be weaponized," expressing concern that the findings could be misused by opponents of gender-affirming care. The New York Times highlighted this issue, prompting debates over transparency and the ethical responsibility to publish publicly funded research.