RFK Jr.’s Health Department Ponders National Men’s Health Initiative
However, a recent development suggests a shift in focus towards men’s health. The US Department of Health and Human Services is considering launching a federal men’s health initiative, a source at the agency tells WIRED.
Meanwhile, Brian Christine, who will be sworn in as assistant secretary for health at HHS and head of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, called for such an effort during a Food and Drug Administration panel on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for men.
Addressing the Men’s Health Crisis
Consequently, Christine emphasized the need for a national strategy to address the men’s health crisis, citing a widening gender gap in life expectancy in the US and the fact that 44 percent of men surveyed in 2023 didn’t get an annual physical.
Moreover, he pointed out that men are much less likely to seek treatment for depression, despite suicide rates in the US being much higher in men. Substance abuse compounds this problem, with the majority of opioid overdoses occurring in men.
Expanding Eligibility Criteria for TRT</hassistantRFK Jr.’s Health Department Ponders National Men’s Health Initiative
However, a recent development suggests a shift in focus towards men’s health. The US Department of Health and Human Services is considering launching a federal men’s health initiative, a source at the agency tells WIRED.
Meanwhile, Brian Christine, who will be sworn in as assistant secretary for health at HHS and head of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, called for such an effort during a Food and Drug Administration panel on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for men.
Addressing the Men’s Health Crisis
Consequently, Christine emphasized the need for a national strategy to address the men’s health crisis, citing a widening gender gap in life expectancy in the US and the fact that 44 percent of men surveyed in 2023 didn’t get an annual physical.
Moreover, he pointed out that men are much less likely to seek treatment for depression, despite suicide rates in the US being much higher in men. Substance abuse compounds this problem, with the majority of opioid overdoses occurring in men.
Expanding Eligibility Criteria for TRT
Therefore, participants in the FDA panel voiced support for expanding the eligibility criteria for TRT and removing testosterone from the FDA’s list of controlled substances.
In addition, Christine called attention to men’s health more broadly, pointing out the importance of promoting “health-seeking behavior” in men, providing insurance coverage for reconstructive surgery following cancer, and improving the quality of care for men in rural areas.
A National Security Issue
Meanwhile, Christine couched men’s health concerns, particularly obesity, as a national security issue. “Men’s health concerns truly affect defense preparedness, defense readiness, and the safety of this country against our enemies,” he said.
Therefore, he emphasized the need for a parallel track for men’s health in the country, alongside existing efforts for women’s health.
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