Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced today the launch of an investigation involving a coalition of 12 state attorneys general into the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The inquiry centers on allegations that the AAP has disseminated misleading and deceptive information regarding the use of puberty blockers to treat children with gender dysphoria, potentially violating Montana’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act.
The investigation follows concerns that the AAP downplays the long-term and irreversible consequences associated with puberty blockers, which medical studies indicate can lead to issues such as compromised bone density, interference with neurocognitive development, and in some cases, infertility. Despite these findings, the AAP has continued to assert that the effects of puberty blockers are “reversible.”
“Puberty blockers can have serious and irreversible consequences for children, but AAP appears to ignore those consequences and instead promotes them as ‘reversible.’ That’s unacceptable and could be a violation of Montana law,” Attorney General Knudsen stated. He emphasized the need for accurate and scientifically grounded information from the AAP, as it serves as a critical resource for parents and healthcare professionals in making informed decisions about children’s health care.
The AAP’s stance has been challenged by scientific evidence, and the organization has maintained its position since its 2018 policy statement on gender-affirming care, reiterating its claims in 2023. Notably, the World Health Organization has not endorsed puberty blockers as a treatment for gender dysphoria, further complicating the debate.
In September, Attorney General Knudsen, along with a coalition of 21 states, sought answers from the AAP regarding their statements on puberty blockers, raising concerns about compliance with state consumer protection laws. The lack of response from the AAP prompted the current formal investigation.
“The AAP has no basis to assure parents that giving their children puberty blockers can be fully reversed. It just isn’t true,” the attorneys general articulated in their September letter to the organization. The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for how medical organizations communicate about treatments for gender dysphoria and their potential risks.
