Department of Health and Human Services deletes mental health report on Utah's transgender children

Yahoo! News - May 11th, 2025

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has removed reports regarding the mental health of transgender youth in Utah from its website, while maintaining similar reports for cisgender youth. This removal affected data compiled from the 'Utah Student Health and Risk Prevention' (SHARP) survey, which included responses from 51,890 students in 2023. Of these, 729 students identified as transgender. The deletion of these datasets, which were once available on the Utah Office of Substance Use and Mental Health's website, has raised concerns, especially since the data highlighted significant mental health challenges faced by transgender students, with 60% contemplating suicide and nearly 25% attempting it.

The removal of these reports has broader implications, as it reflects ongoing debates over gender ideology and its impact on public health policies. The CDC was initially involved in the deletion but was ordered by a federal judge to restore the data. The situation highlights a contentious political climate, as the Trump Administration has openly rejected gender ideology, labeling it harmful. Experts like Ilan Meyer from UCLA emphasize that ignoring the issues faced by transgender youth won't address their underlying problems and may worsen their condition. This incident underscores the importance of data transparency in tackling mental health issues amongst vulnerable populations, drawing attention to the need for supportive and informed public health strategies.

Trump Administration Utah Cdc Hhs Mental Health Gender Ideology Transgender Youth Sharp Survey Ilan Meyer

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RATING

7.6

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive and largely accurate account of the removal of transgender youth mental health data by the Department of Health and Human Services. It effectively balances factual reporting with expert analysis, offering a clear narrative that is both timely and relevant to ongoing public debates. The inclusion of expert commentary and suicide prevention resources enhances its public interest value. However, the article could benefit from further transparency regarding the reasons behind HHS's actions and more diverse perspectives to ensure a fully balanced view. Overall, it serves as a valuable resource for understanding the implications of data removal on transgender youth and public health policy.

Accuracy

The story is largely accurate in its depiction of events, specifically regarding the removal of reports by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the subsequent court order for the CDC to restore data. The claims about the SHARP survey participation and the number of students identifying as transgender are consistent with reported figures. However, the story should be verified against primary data sources to confirm the exact suicide risk percentages among transgender youth. The inclusion of expert commentary from Ilan Meyer adds credibility, though further corroboration from additional experts could strengthen accuracy.

Balance

The article presents a balanced view by including perspectives from both the HHS and experts like Ilan Meyer. However, it primarily highlights the negative implications of removing transgender data, potentially underrepresenting any rationale HHS might have for its actions. Including more viewpoints from officials or stakeholders who support the data removal could provide a more rounded perspective.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and easy to follow, with a logical progression from the initial event to expert commentary. The language is clear and accessible, making the complex issues surrounding transgender youth and mental health understandable to a general audience. However, the inclusion of more detailed explanations of technical terms or concepts could enhance clarity further.

Source quality

The article references credible sources such as the Salt Lake Tribune and statements from Ilan Meyer, a recognized expert in gender and sexual identity issues. The reliance on these authoritative sources enhances the story's credibility. However, the article could benefit from additional sources, such as direct statements from HHS or the CDC, to further substantiate its claims.

Transparency

The article provides a clear context for the story, detailing the timeline of events and the implications of data removal. However, it lacks transparency regarding the methodology of the SHARP survey and the precise reasons for the data's removal. Greater disclosure of these aspects would improve the reader's understanding of the underlying issues and potential biases.