Health without gender boundaries: rethinking health education for transgender individuals

Abstract

Health is a fundamental human right and people are equal in receiving health services worldwide yet transgender individuals often face exclusion and stigma within health systems. Traditional health education frequently relies on binary gender frameworks, limiting awareness of diverse gender identities and contributing to inequities in access, quality, and outcomes of care. This editorial highlights the necessity of rethinking health education to incorporate gender-sensitive and gender-affirming approaches, addressing stigma at individual, family, and societal levels. Integrating evidence-based curricula, empowering health educators, and implementing practical interventions such as workshops, digital resources, and community engagement can enhance competence, reduce discrimination, and improve trust between transgender people and health providers. Health education thus becomes not only a tool for knowledge dissemination but also a transformative mechanism to foster inclusive, equitable, and responsive health systems.

Keywords: Health education, Gender diversity, Transgender people, Social stigma, Health equity