(Excerpts from CNN News)

The World Health Organization (WHO) uses the term “gender incongruence” to describe people whose gender identity is different from the gender they were assigned at birth.

Now, the WHO is moving this term to the panels sexual health chapter from its mental disorders chapter. The new classification will improve social acceptance among transgender people while still making important health resources available.

The new standard of classification appears in the 11th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11), which was adopted Saturday by the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland. It will go into effect on January 1, 2022.

The WHO does not expect the ICD change to affect transgender peoples need for health care.

This is not the first time the ICD has changed a classification related to sexuality. In 1990, the WHO declared that "sexual orientation alone is not to be regarded as a disorder."

Dr KK Aggarwal

Padma Shri Awardee

President Elect Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania   (CMAAO)

Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications

President Heart Care Foundation of India

Past National President IMA