Almost half of the countries in the European Union consider “transsexualism” a psychiatric diagnosis required for transgender people to access certain health services, which is against World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.
Almost half of the EU -12 out of 27 member states- Does not comply with World Health Organization rules According to a new law, for the recognition of trans identities health map It was published by TGEU, a non-profit organization that advocates for the rights and well-being of transgender people.
WHO agreed to reorganize its classification in 2019. Removing trans identities from the mental disorder category. The health organization has amended its International Classification, which serves to record and report health and health-related conditions around the world, for its 11th edition to “reflect modern understanding of sexual health and gender identity.”
This update “redefines health related to gender identity” rather than “legacy diagnostic categories”transsexualism“Childhood gender identity disorder” for “gender nonconformity in adolescence and adulthood” and “gender nonconformity in childhood” respectively.
WHO’s goal with these changes was to ensure that transgender people have access to gender-affirming healthcare. Adequate health insurance for these services.
Despite these updates from the global health agency, TGEU maps show that 12 EU countries (Germany, Austria, Croatia, Slovakia, Estonia, France, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic and Sweden) use the official diagnosis “transsexualism” according to the previous classification. Five countries (Belgium, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and the Netherlands) use “gender dysphoria”. Finland, Romania and Slovenia use both classifications.
Only Malta, Denmark and Eight regions of Spain It does not require psychiatric diagnosis as a condition for accessing certain health services – for which data are available.
TGEU warns that this requirement contributes to stigma and makes it difficult to access trans-specific healthcare. “Slow implementation of depathology “In the 2024 map, this means that trans-specific healthcare services are not based on informed consent and individual decision-making, but are entirely dependent on diagnosis.”
According to a report Trans people face major challenges in receiving accessible, affordable, respectful and quality healthcare, and it is estimated that at least 27% of European trans people do not have access to certain healthcare services, according to a report published by the Council of Europe earlier this month.
Statement from the World Health Organization is expected New guidelines for private healthcare for transgender people in 2025For the purpose of advising Member States on how to address this issue.
