Washington youth transgender diagnoses surge sharply, especially among teen girls
New analysis shows a steep rise in gender-dysphoria diagnoses among Washington minors, with teen girls far exceeding historic rates.
An examination of health-insurance claims from 2017-2023 identified over 15,000 Washington minors with transgender-related diagnoses, a figure likely understated because not all insurers are covered. In 2022, 1.73% of teen girls and 0.8% of teen boys received such diagnoses, while younger children showed rates of 0.71% for girls and 0.16% for boys. Compared with DSM-5 adult prevalence, teen girls’ rates are nearly 600 times higher and teen boys’ about 60 times higher.
The 986 zip code, encompassing Vancouver, records the highest diagnosis density, exceeding 2% for teen girls, surpassing Seattle’s 1.5%. Major providers include MultiCare Health System, Seattle Children’s Hospital, and a single hypnotherapy practitioner who appears on hundreds of claims. Washington’s “gender-affirming” policies and legal protections have facilitated this growth, coinciding with upcoming ballot measures on sports participation and parental notification.
Why it matters
The data highlight a rapid increase in youth gender-dysphoria diagnoses, informing policy debates on medical treatment and parental rights.
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