The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under Secretary RFK Jr. has issued new federal guidance recognizing only two sexes - male and female - aligning with recent Trump administration policies.

The February 19 guidelines define sex as "a person's immutable biological classification," eliminating previous gender-inclusive language. The definitions specify:

• Female/Male based on reproductive system function
• Woman/Man as adult humans of respective sexes
• Girl/Boy as minor humans of respective sexes
• Mother/Father as female/male parents

Medical experts strongly oppose these changes, noting they:

• Contradict scientific understanding of sex and gender
• Ignore intersex individuals (estimated 1.7% of population)
• Disregard variations in sex characteristics including:
  • Chromosomal differences (XXX, XXY, XXXY)
  • Gonadal variations
  • External genitalia diversity
  • Secondary sex characteristics

Healthcare Impact:

• Disrupts access to gender-affirming care
• May increase health risks including:
  • Osteoporosis
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Cognitive decline
• Creates barriers to appropriate medical treatment
• Affects mental health outcomes

Mental Health Consequences:

• Increases discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals
• Elevates risk of depression and suicide among affected populations
• Creates fear and uncertainty in transgender and gender-diverse communities
• Impacts youth mental health and well-being

The policy changes have already affected federal documents, sports participation, and healthcare access across multiple states, raising concerns among medical professionals about long-term physical and psychological impacts on affected communities.

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