Dr. Rachel Levine Reflects on Trans Politics and Public Health Legacy

Dr. Rachel Levine, the highest-ranking openly transgender official in U.S. federal government history, is stepping down from her role as Assistant Secretary for Health at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Her tenure, which began in 2021, coincided with a surge in state-level legislation targeting transgender rights, including bans on gender-affirming care for minors.

Levine, a pediatrician and admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, has been a steadfast advocate for public health initiatives, including childhood vaccination campaigns and climate change efforts. Despite facing political attacks and being featured in anti-trans advertisements during the 2024 presidential campaign, Levine remains focused on her work.