‘Men Matter’: HHS Highlights Fatherhood and Men Throughout June

FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—As the Department of Health and Human Services continues to commemorate Men’s Health Month, the department’s assistant secretary for health told the Daily Signal that President Donald Trump’s administration is focused on revitalizing fatherhood for the benefit of the nation.

“We want to make a positive impact on men’s health during this administration,” Adm. Brian Christine told the Daily Signal. “In this administration, men matter.”

Christine’s remarks come as the United States is witnessing a historic decline in men’s suicide rates, obesity, hypertension, and depression, while also seeing a rise in fertility and testosterone levels.

Christine noted that 80% of suicides in this country are committed by men, and that men “have higher levels of substance abuse, depression, and mental health challenges—and use health care and mental-health resources at a far lower rate—than women do.”

“Every day, 100 men take their life in the United States,” he added. “So, it is appropriate to talk about overall men’s health, but it is also appropriate to talk about men’s mental health.”

During President Joe Biden’s administration, suicides among men in 2023 alone reached a record of 39,045, while substance abuse increased and average testosterone levels for men reached a historic low.

The Trump administration has focused on reversing the crisis through things like loosening restrictions on testosterone replacement therapy and other resources for men’s health. The administration has also focused on promoting strong manhood, cleaner diets, removing drugs from American streets, and the nuclear family.

“We’re committed to making America healthy again here at HHS because that’s all part of getting our country healthy again, and getting America great again,” the admiral continued. “I believe we have to have strong men for strong families to make the country strong again. I think it’s all linked together.”

Christine hopes that by raising awareness about men’s struggles and the positive impact men have in society, a rebound will continue.

“We believe that engaging the public, talking about these things, raising awareness for these things, is important,” he said. “But also, part of our message is not simply to raise awareness.

“It’s that, but also to say, listen, men … if you are having mental health challenges, do reach out to a practitioner. Do seek care. Don’t isolate yourself, because men tend to do that.”

Christine added that the administration also wants to explore why rates of obesity, hypertension, substance abuse, cardiovascular disease, and fertility issues are higher among men.

“We have to talk about it,” he said. “We see higher suicide rates in men … who have been our war fighters. So, it’s a real tragedy.”

Christine concluded by wishing America’s fathers a happy Father’s Day.

“We want to wish a really happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there. Fathers have such an incredible impact on making the country great and strong again,” he said. “A strong, loving, committed, engaged father can do so much for their children, for their wives.”