theresagaff.bsky.social
Theresa Gaffney
@theresagaff.bsky.social
1K followers 250 following 56 posts
reporter, newsletter writer, & Guild member at STAT [email protected] Signal: theresagaff.97 she / her
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
Pinned
theresagaff.bsky.social
Theresa Gaffney @theresagaff.bsky.social · Dec 23
I wrote about gender-affirming surgery — what it means to the people that get it, its evolution as a professional specialty in the U.S., and how the incoming administration could put all of that at risk: www.statnews.com/2024/12/23/g...
A 19-year-old patient wearing ripped jeans and loosely tied work boots sits in a chair in the doctor's office. One foot is propped up resting on his knee. He has a spiral notebook and mechanical pencil in his lap. An excerpt from the story: “'In the case of an emerging field like this, where there weren’t a lot of road maps on how to do things and there was so much room for improvement, you have somehow to have a lot of creativity,' she recalled. Trinidad was a small 'Santa Fe Trail' type of town, Bowers said, where she and Biber were the only surgeons of any kind for miles. The people stepping off the Greyhound bus were almost always alone, Bowers remembers. They were usually older, retired, single or divorced, and had lived much of their lives in the closet. After finally coming out as trans, they were often estranged from their families. Insurance wouldn’t cover the procedure, so they always paid in cash. Afterward, they left town without knowing whether any other doctor might understand the procedure enough to be able to address potential future complications. They prepared for the long recovery alone.
5 11
theresagaff.bsky.social
Theresa Gaffney @theresagaff.bsky.social · 1d
Supreme Court arguments on conversion therapy mostly went as expected today. But it's worth pointing out how the very idea of medical consensus came under attack multiple times from ADF and DOJ lawyers, as well as some conservative justices. Read my recap: www.statnews.com/2025/10/07/c...
As Supreme Court weighs conversion therapy, conservative justices question medical authority
At the Supreme Court, a majority of justices seemed poised to rule against a Colorado law banning so-called conversion therapy.
www.statnews.com
1 1
Reposted by Theresa Gaffney
katiepalmer.bsky.social
Katie Palmer @katiepalmer.bsky.social · 2d
For 3 years, I've reported on 2 big telehealth trends: pharma partnerships and compounding. They've gone head-to-head as patients demand GLP-1s.

But they've been part of the same story for much longer. Here's how telehealth got hooked on drug-first thinking: www.statnews.com/2025/10/06/t...
From erectile dysfunction to weight loss, how telehealth got hooked on drug-first thinking
Marketing of on-demand telehealth prescriptions has rapidly become a constant presence for American consumers
www.statnews.com
3 2
theresagaff.bsky.social
Theresa Gaffney @theresagaff.bsky.social · 2d
The Supreme Court hears arguments on a conversion therapy law tomorrow. "What you have is competing visions of how states regulate medicine and whether regulation of medicine should be solely evidence-based or not,” one expert said. More here on the potential impact: www.statnews.com/2025/10/06/s...
How this week’s Supreme Court case on conversion therapy could impact the regulation of medicine
The Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday in a challenge to a Colorado law banning mental health practitioners from performing conversion therapy
www.statnews.com
2 2
Reposted by Theresa Gaffney
lizzylawrence.bsky.social
Lizzy Lawrence @lizzylawrence.bsky.social · 6d
With last week's announcement on Tylenol, pregnancy & autism — & an FDA panel in July on SSRIs during pregnancy — I've been thinking about exclusion of pregnant women in clinical trials. Talked to some experts about how we got here, and what can change:
www.statnews.com/2025/10/02/c...
Fights over Tylenol, SSRIs highlight the enduring lack of pregnant women in drug trials
Shutting pregnant women out of clinical trials to protect them and their babies has had the opposite effect, experts say.
www.statnews.com
4 8
Reposted by Theresa Gaffney
rosebroderick.bsky.social
O. Rose Broderick @rosebroderick.bsky.social · 13d
Mothers regularly shoulder the "blame" for having a child with autism. So when autistic moms watched Trump insist — despite little scientific evidence — that Tylenol use during pregnancy causes autism, it felt like a return to a dark era. #disability #autism

www.statnews.com/2025/09/25/a...
Autistic moms feel shamed and stigmatized by Trump’s Tylenol warning
Trump's remarks linking Tylenol to autism are a return to an era when mothers were blamed for children developing the disorder.
www.statnews.com
1 27 66
Reposted by Theresa Gaffney
statnews.com
STAT @statnews.com · 15d
Parents may flock to a dietary supplement with the same key ingredient as leucovorin, which the FDA just approved for children with autism. But there are drawbacks.
www.statnews.com/2025/09/23/l...
FDA’s leucovorin approval could be a boon for supplement makers
Parents may flock to a dietary supplement with the same key ingredient as leucovorin, which the FDA just approved for children with autism. But there are drawbacks.
www.statnews.com
4 4 8
Reposted by Theresa Gaffney
hencarnell.bsky.social
Henry Carnell @hencarnell.bsky.social · 15d
Also check out this excellent q&a with Guyatt in STAT by @theresagaff.bsky.social
8 22
Reposted by Theresa Gaffney
hencarnell.bsky.social
Henry Carnell @hencarnell.bsky.social · 15d
For years, medical professionals and transgender advocates have been saying the "Society for Evidence-based Gender Medicine" was not following the principles of evidenced-based medicine.

Now the "godfather" of evidence-based medicine is leveraging the same claim against them. (1/)
Trans health care "skeptics" lost a key ally—now they're having a meltdown
The godfather of evidence-based medicine on rejecting anti-trans "misuse" of his work.
www.motherjones.com
5 170 510
Reposted by Theresa Gaffney
jasonukman.bsky.social
Jason Ukman @jasonukman.bsky.social · 15d
What President Trump said today about vaccines could send shockwaves through the country for a very long time.

Story from @danielpayne.bsky.social @aniloza.bsky.social @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social

www.statnews.com/2025/09/22/t...
Trump, questioning vaccine safety, pushes major changes to how kids get shots
At a White House event, Trump linked vaccines to autism and urged major changes in how kids get their shots.
www.statnews.com
4 7 15
Reposted by Theresa Gaffney
katelynburns.com
Katelyn Boo-urns @katelynburns.com · 16d
Only 1 person in the whole study went from identifying as trans to not identifying as trans. The 1/5 number came from youth going between the binary and non-binary spectrum.

This headline and post are misleading on purpose to fit the economist's editorial bent on the political issue.
economist.com
The Economist @economist.com · 18d
A recent study found that children who transitioned young retained stable gender identities over time. But the fact that nearly a fifth of those in the group did not ought to give advocates of irreversible medical interventions pause
How stable are the gender identities of younger children?
A study finds that one in five who switch gender change their mind
econ.st
20 2.3K 6.8K
theresagaff.bsky.social
Theresa Gaffney @theresagaff.bsky.social · 16d
Had a really interesting convo with the guy who coined the term "evidence based medicine," who has also worked on some systematic reviews of gender-affirming care. He says using the reviews as justification for banning care is an “egregious and unconscionable” misuse www.statnews.com/2025/09/22/e...
Author of reviews of gender affirming care decries ‘egregious misuse’ of the findings to justify bans
Gordon Guyatt, a co-author of systematic reviews of gender-affirming care, calls use of the findings to justify banning care "egregious."
www.statnews.com
3 4
Reposted by Theresa Gaffney
oriion.bsky.social
Orion Rummler @oriion.bsky.social · 20d
I spoke with five families in the D.C. region about what it's like raising trans kids in Trump's backyard.

They shared fears about being personally targeted by the federal government and their joys in raising kids that are learning to express themselves authentically in a difficult world.
What it’s like raising trans kids in Trump’s backyard
Families in and around Washington, D.C., are navigating the White House’s crackdown on gender-affirming care and a growing assertion of federal power.
19thnews.org
3 110 300
Reposted by Theresa Gaffney
rosebroderick.bsky.social
O. Rose Broderick @rosebroderick.bsky.social · 21d
Important news from @tarabannow.bsky.social ahead of this week's ACIP meeting

www.statnews.com/2025/09/17/a...
Major health insurer group says members will continue to cover vaccines, a step that may ease anxiety over access
Amid concern about Americans’ access to vaccines, a major health insurance association said member plans will continue to cover all shots recommended by the ACIP.
www.statnews.com
2 2
Reposted by Theresa Gaffney
joyurcaba.bsky.social
Jo Yurcaba @joyurcaba.bsky.social · 27d
This. A reputable news organization would not print this without providing additional detail.

Again, we have a case of a major news organization abandoning basic journalistic standards when the reporting is about trans people.
jaredlholt.bsky.social
Jared Holt @jaredlholt.bsky.social · 27d
What is “transgender and antifascist ideology?” I know the debate about platforming the words of killers, but this is not really helpful if we only have that nebulous description to go off of
wsj.com
The Wall Street Journal @wsj.com · 27d
Ammunition engraved with transgender and antifascist ideology was found inside the rifle authorities believe was used in Kirk’s shooting, sources say.
20 380 2.1K
Reposted by Theresa Gaffney
danielpayne.bsky.social
Daniel Payne @danielpayne.bsky.social · Sep 3
NEW: RFK Jr. pushed out Susan Monarez, former CDC director, last week — suggesting it was needed to reform the agency.

But many of Kennedy’s reform ideas match a memo Monarez sent HHS leaders nearly a month ago.

www.statnews.com/2025/09/03/k...
After ousting CDC's director, RFK Jr. mirrors her ideas to reform the agency
Kennedy and the CDC's director had similar plans for the agency, a confidential memo shows.
www.statnews.com
1 5 8
Reposted by Theresa Gaffney
jonathanwosen.bsky.social
Jonathan Wosen @jonathanwosen.bsky.social · Aug 27
Breaking news via @lizzylawrence.bsky.social and
@matthewherper.bsky.social: FDA issues narrower approvals for Covid boosters, revokes emergency authorizations www.statnews.com/2025/08/27/f...
@statnews.com
FDA issues narrower approvals for Covid boosters, revokes emergency authorizations
The end of Covid vaccine emergency authorizations may limit the availability of shots for young, healthy kids.
www.statnews.com
3 5
Reposted by Theresa Gaffney
isabellacueto.bsky.social
Isabella Cueto @isabellacueto.bsky.social · Aug 25
MAHA turned 1 over the weekend, and it's hard to believe it's only been one year since Kennedy endorsed Trump and kickstarted this movement.

I talked with nearly two dozen people to try and make sense of all that has happened — or not. Lots to unpack!
www.statnews.com/2025/08/25/r...
As MAHA turns 1, a fired-up movement is still figuring out how to fulfill its promises
"That is so brilliant. Why didn’t we think of this before?" As MAHA turns 1, STAT examines the growth of the movement and takes stock of its challenges.
www.statnews.com
1 5 5
Reposted by Theresa Gaffney
joyurcaba.bsky.social
Jo Yurcaba @joyurcaba.bsky.social · Aug 25
NEW: More than 20 hospitals and health systems have temporarily or indefinitely rolled back trans care for minors and some young adults this year amid threats of federal investigations and cuts to government funding, an NBC News analysis found.

For @nbcnews.com:
www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-...
At least 21 hospitals have ended or restricted trans care for minors since January
The disruptions follow multiple efforts by the Trump administration to block such care for patients younger than 19.
www.nbcnews.com
2 130 330
Reposted by Theresa Gaffney
elizabethcooney.bsky.social
elizabethcooney.bsky.social @elizabethcooney.bsky.social · Aug 21
"A distressing development," via @danielpayne.bsky.social at @statnews.com

www.statnews.com/2025/08/21/c...
CDC attacker likely attempted to enter campus days before shooting
The shooter was likely conducting reconnaissance days before his attack, a top CDC official wrote.
www.statnews.com
1 2
theresagaff.bsky.social
Theresa Gaffney @theresagaff.bsky.social · Aug 21
By now, most people have seen the latest Williams Institute report on the number of trans people in the U.S. But I wanted to add one important piece of context on where that data comes from, because it is disappearing under the Trump admin. In Morning Rounds: www.statnews.com/2025/08/21/h...
Block of text that reads: The Williams Institute, part of UCLA, has been reporting on the size and characteristics of the trans population since 2011, and the report notes that data quality and availability has substantially improved in that time. But that’s changing under the Trump administration. The report uses data from the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey and the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System. But the CDC has said it will no longer process data on transgender identity.
1 4
Reposted by Theresa Gaffney
brittanytrang.com
Brittany Trang @brittanytrang.com · Aug 20
We think of AI as something that decreases costs and increases revenue. But _for whom_ does it make more $?

AI scribe companies promise that doctors will now get paid for everything they did in a visit. But where is that money coming from?

All of us.

More from me @statnews.com:
🖥️🩺
AI scribe companies promise to help doctors bill more. Who will pay the extra cost?
Like any conscientious health policy Ph.D. student, Paige Nong went to the doctor for her free annual well visit. But as she checked in, the person at the
www.statnews.com
10 10
Reposted by Theresa Gaffney
sarah-todd.bsky.social
Sarah Todd @sarah-todd.bsky.social · Aug 13
AMA has stayed largely quiet as the Trump administration roils the state of science in the U.S. Now the largest group representing physicians is changing course: “We have to stand up for science,” CEO John Whyte tells @theresagaff.bsky.social

www.statnews.com/2025/08/13/a...
Inside the American Medical Association's sudden strategy shift in Washington
The AMA has shifted from a behind-the-scenes lobbying strategy to more forceful public advocacy against President Trump's health care policies.
www.statnews.com
1 15 30
Reposted by Theresa Gaffney
aljazeera.com
Al Jazeera English @aljazeera.com · Aug 10
Four Al Jazeera staff, including reporter Anas Al Sharif, were killed in an Israeli attack on a tent for journalists outside the main gate of Gaza's al-Shifa hospital aje.io/onll19
Anas al-Sharif among five Al Jazeera journalists killed by Israel in Gaza
Al Jazeera staff killed in targeted Israeli attack on a tent housing journalists near al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza City.
aje.io
150 2.5K 3.8K
theresagaff.bsky.social
Theresa Gaffney @theresagaff.bsky.social · Aug 8
Trump executive order seeks to centralize control of grantmaking under political appointees www.statnews.com/2025/08/08/t...
Trump executive order seeks to centralize control of grantmaking under political appointees
A sweeping new executive order seeks to transform how the federal government awards billions of dollars in research grants
www.statnews.com
Reposted by Theresa Gaffney
melissagiragrant.com
Melissa Gira Grant @melissagiragrant.com · Aug 8
Since UPMC, one of the largest hospital systems in Pennsylvania ended gender-affirming care for those under nineteen on June 30, one therapist in the system told me, they are now expected to lie to young people about their care being illegal, even to discuss. newrepublic.com/article/1988...
“I’ve had the experience of sitting with a trans teenager at an initial evaluation, and have them look me in the face and say, If I don’t get access to gender-affirming care, I am going to kill myself,” said Kailey Andrew, a behavioral health therapist at UPMC’s Services for Teens at Risk, a program known as STAR, which serves adolescents who are experiencing suicidality, depression, and anxiety. Health care providers have understood for some years that, as multiple researchers have found, hormone therapy can decrease depression and suicidality among young trans people. They took pride, Andrew said, in being able to refer a young person to Adolescent Medicine at UPMC for care, to vouch for the people there, whom they could recommend because they work together closely. Now that the hospital has barred those providers from prescribing gender-affirming treatment, Andrew told me they didn’t know, as a therapist, what their employer expected them to say to a trans teenager in crisis. But then they corrected themself; they knew exactly what kind of response was expected: “Sorry, I don’t know anything about that. It’s illegal for me to share.” In other words, Andrew would be expected to lie. “And I’m not willing to do that,” they said.
6 130 260