Trump Officials Link Declining Testosterone in Men to Security Risks

WHO:

NY Post - Adm. Brian Christine said obesity, chronic disease, and declining hormone levels are undermining military recruitment.

Fox News - Adm. Brian Christine is a senior Department of Health and Human Services official and a urologist who has specialized in men’s health for more than 35 years.

Fox News - National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya said testosterone deficiency may be underdiagnosed and that researchers need to investigate declining testosterone and sperm counts.

Fox News - The Pentagon, Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency, NIH, and HHS are involved in service-member screening, health guidance, and research described in the article.

WHAT:

Fox News - The Pentagon issued guidelines requiring male service members ages 30 and older to be screened for testosterone deficiency.

Fox News - Screening begins with assessment of symptoms and risk factors; further testing and possible treatment may be offered when medically appropriate. Christine said, “We’re not forcing testosterone on anybody.”

Fox News - Christine said 77% of Americans ages 17 to 24 do not qualify for military service without a waiver; more than 70% of young men are ineligible, and about 3% of young Americans express interest in serving.

Fox News - Christine said the average testosterone level for men in the United States was “well over 650” in the mid-1970s and is now “approaching 350”; the article does not specify units.

Fox News - Christine said testosterone levels are related to men’s overall well-being, lifespan, health span, and wellness, and that men with low testosterone tend to experience higher rates of anxiety and depression.

Fox News - Bhattacharya said testosterone levels have declined over decades, but “we don’t know why,” and said NIH is investing in research on potential causes and medical guidance. He also identified declining sperm counts as a subject requiring investigation.

Fox News - The administration is developing separate hormonal-health guidance for female service members, with women’s health specialists contributing.

Fox News - Trump’s administration has pursued military changes including tighter fitness requirements, ending DEI policies, weapons-acquisition changes, recruitment efforts, and a focus on combat readiness and lethality.

WHERE:

Fox News - The article describes trends and concerns involving American men, young Americans, and U.S. military service members.

WHEN:

Fox News - The screening guidelines were issued in September; the article gives no year for this date.

Fox News - The article says testosterone levels have declined over decades and compares levels in the mid-1970s with current levels.

WHY:

NY Post - Christine linked obesity, chronic disease, and declining hormone levels to challenges in military recruitment.

Fox News - Christine warned that low testosterone has national-defense-readiness implications and that broader health problems are shrinking the pool of young people qualified to serve.

Fox News - The article says obesity and chronic disease are associated with low testosterone; possible effects from microplastics and other environmental toxins are still being investigated.

HOW:

Fox News - The screening process identifies symptoms and risk factors first, followed by testing and possible treatment where medically appropriate.

Fox News - Christine said the initiative aims to help service members perform their duties while addressing men’s health challenges.

(UPDATED October 24, 2026 22:57 UTC)

The Pentagon has issued guidelines requiring male service members ages 30 and older to be screened for testosterone deficiency, amid concerns about military readiness and men’s health. Screening starts with symptoms and risk factors; further tests and treatment may follow when medically appropriate. Senior Health and Human Services official Adm. Brian Christine stressed that treatment is not being forced on anyone. He linked obesity, chronic disease, and declining hormone levels to recruitment challenges, noting that 77% of Americans ages 17 to 24 do not qualify for military service without a waiver. Christine said average testosterone levels have fallen from well over 650 in the mid-1970s to nearly 350 now. NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya said the decline’s causes remain unknown and called for research into testosterone deficiency and falling sperm counts. The administration is also developing separate hormonal-health guidance for female service members.