In the Trans*power project, a research team is investigating the experiences and needs of both trans* individuals and medical professionals.
The Trans*power project logo Copyright: Isabel Tafel/MHH
There are significant shortcomings and barriers to access in medical care for trans* people—at least according to international studies. But what is the situation in Germany? What challenges do trans* people face in our healthcare system? And to what extent are healthcare providers trained in trans* care? A research team from the Institute of General Medicine and Palliative Medicine at Hannover Medical School (MHH), in collaboration with the Institute of General Medicine at University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG), aims to answer these and other questions through the Trans*power study.
A Wide Range of Health Issues
Trans* people are individuals who do not identify with the gender assigned to them at birth. The exact number of people affected in Germany can only be estimated. The German Society for Trans* and Intersex Issues (dgti) estimates that trans* people make up about 0.6 percent of the population. That corresponds to roughly 500,000 people. They have specific health needs: For example, some trans* people require support during their transition in the form of hormone replacement therapy or gender-affirming surgery. Due to negative attitudes in society, many trans* people are exposed to increased stress, which can lead to mental health issues. “Anglo-American studies have shown that trans* people suffer from mental health disorders and substance use disorders, as well as cardiovascular diseases, at a higher rate on average. Furthermore, it has been shown that they are less likely to take advantage of early detection and prevention services,” explains Prof. Dr. Stephanie Stiel from the MHH Institute of General Medicine and Palliative Medicine. The project leader of Trans*power and her team now aim to determine the state of healthcare for trans* individuals in Germany.
Focus on outpatient care
In addition to trans* individuals, the study also includes their close relatives and caregivers from various sectors of the healthcare system. All of them will be asked about their experiences, needs, and expectations regarding medical care in interviews and, in some cases, through an online survey. For this project, the research team is collaborating with trans* individuals and caregivers who will accompany and help shape the entire project. The study focuses on outpatient care. “Outpatient providers play a central role in the treatment of trans* individuals,” explains Professor Stiel. “Their practices are usually the first points of contact.” The study includes various medical specialties: general medicine, pediatrics, psychology, psychiatry, urology, and gynecology. Among other things, the research team aims to determine which specific care services trans* individuals utilize and what the exact treatment pathways look like. To this end, they are also drawing on data from AOK Lower Saxony. Another goal is to identify gaps in the curriculum of medical and nursing education. This is because the topic of care for trans* individuals is not universally and systematically integrated into the curriculum.
Guidelines for Improving the Situation
“Trans* individuals should be able to receive care tailored to their specific health needs without discrimination and without barriers to access,” emphasizes Professor Stiel. Based on the project’s findings, the researchers aim to develop concrete recommendations for action and guidelines for healthcare providers. Professor Stiel: “With our study, we want to raise awareness of the issue and contribute to an overall improvement in the care situation for trans* individuals.”
In addition to the University Medical Center Göttingen, the MHH is also collaborating with AOK Lower Saxony on the Trans*power project. The study began in October 2025 and will run until September 2029. The project is funded by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture with 1.5 million euros from the “zukunft.niedersachsen” program.
Text: Tina Götting