Patient Characteristics Associated with Receiving Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy in the Veterans Health Administration

Abstract

Purpose:

This study aimed to examine patient characteristics associated with receipt of gender-affirming hormone therapy in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

Methods:

This cross-sectional study included a national cohort of 9555 transgender and gender diverse (TGD) patients with TGD-related diagnosis codes who received care in the VHA from 2006 to 2018. Logistic regression models were used to determine the association of health conditions and documented social stressors with receipt of gender affirming hormone therapy.

Results:

Of the 9555 TGD patients, 57.4% received gender-affirming hormone therapy in the VHA. In fully adjusted models, patients who had following characteristics were less likely to obtain gender-affirming hormones in the VHA: Black, non-Hispanic versus white (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.52–0.72), living in the Northeast versus the West (aOR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.62–0.84), a documented drug use disorder (aOR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.47–0.68), ≥3 versus no comorbidities (aOR: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.34–0.57), and ≥3 versus no social stressors (aOR: 0.42; 95% CI: 0.30–0.58; all p<0.001). Younger patients aged 21–29 years were almost 3 times more likely to receive gender affirming hormone therapy in the VHA than those aged ≥60 (aOR: 2.98; 95% CI: 2.55–3.47; p<0.001).

Conclusion:

TGD individuals who were older, Black, non-Hispanic, and had more comorbidities and documented social stressors were less likely to receive gender-affirming hormone therapy in the VHA. Further understanding of patient preferences in addition to clinician- and site-level determinants that may impact access to gender-affirming hormone therapy for TGD individuals in the VHA is needed.