AMA and AAP Joint Statement on Evidence-Based Health Care

By: David Aizuss, MD, chair of the American Medical Association Board of Trustees and Susan J. Kressly, MD, FAAP, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics  

“The American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) represent hundreds of thousands of physicians nationwide. Our members provide evidence-based care with a clear, singular goal of prioritizing patient health above all else. Our organizations are aligned in our commitment to following the science, supporting research, and engaging in rigorous scientific debate to best serve our members, their patients, and our missions. 

“We reject characterizations of our approach to gender-affirming care as negligent or ideologically driven, and take particular issue with the false assertion that our members have committed ‘malpractice’ or betrayed their oath in any way. These claims, rooted in politics and partisanship, misrepresent the consensus of medical science, undermine the professionalism of physicians, and risk harming vulnerable young people and their families. 

“Our organizations remain committed to continuous assessment of medical practices and approaches to all fields of medicine, including health care for transgender and gender diverse people. However, we reject selective or politically motivated interpretations of data that ignore the totality of research and clinical outcomes.” 

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About the AAP: 
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. 

About the AMA: 
The American Medical Association is the physicians’ powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care.  The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises and, driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care.