US DEFENCE SECRETARY ANNOUNCES TESTOSTERONE SCREENING FOR TROOPS OVER 30

Pete Hegseth, US Defence secretary, announced that the Department of defence will offer testosterone deficiency screening for service members aged 30 and older. The announcement was made in a video posted to X on Wednesday. Troops aged 30 and above will undergo annual screening as part of their health assessments, whilst those under 30 may opt in voluntarily. Treatment, including testosterone replacement therapy, is voluntary and described as aimed at "restoring and optimising" natural capabilities.

Hegseth stated the programme is intended to ensure service members have "the right testosterone levels to operate at your absolute best" and that it forms part of the department's commitment to physical and mental readiness for modern combat. He characterised the modern battlefield as "brutal and unrelenting" and said the initiative prioritises long-term health to keep troops "strong and resilient" for their entire lives. The screening programme is presented as part of broader efforts to provide "elite medical care" to military personnel.

The announcement reflects a broader focus within the Trump administration on testosterone levels and health. Robert F Kennedy Jr, who holds the position of health secretary, has previously spoken about testosterone injections as part of his personal health regimen. In October, Kennedy made claims that today's American teenagers have "50% of the testosterone of a 65-year-old man", a statement he did not support with evidence. The Defence Department has not indicated when the screening programme will commence or provided details on its anticipated cost.