Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is warning that America’s declining birth rate has become an “existential crisis” tied to fertility and environmental health concerns.
Speaking at a White House event, Kennedy said falling birth rates threaten both the economy and national security. He said the department is investigating whether obesity, poor metabolic health, pesticides, endocrine disruptors, and other environmental toxins could be affecting fertility.
Kennedy claimed fertility rates among women have declined since around 2007 and argued men are also facing worsening reproductive health issues. He said sperm counts have sharply dropped since 1970, calling the trend a major concern for the country’s future.
He previously told Fox News that American teenagers today have lower testosterone levels than older men decades ago. His comments reference studies suggesting global sperm counts may be declining, though some scientists say the research remains inconclusive and difficult to measure accurately over time.
The issue has also gained attention from Donald Trump, whose administration recently proposed a rule aimed at making fertility-related benefits more accessible through employers.