Climate, Ecology, War & More - Dr Glen Barry BigEarthData.ai (@bigearthdata.ai)

The Pentagon's plans to screen military members for testosterone lacks scientific backing, medical experts warn Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has branded his new military initiative the “High-T Department of War” - but medical experts warn the plan to test thousands of active-duty service members for low testosterone is flatly ignoring standard clinical science. The directive, which will add mandatory testosterone screenings to annual health assessments for troops 30 and older, has drawn sharp criticism from experts who warn the policy lacks scientific backing, defies established clinical guidelines and could introduce unnecessary health risks, particularly for female service members. “This is a surprising advent because they're targeting recruits or military personnel over the age of 30, both males and females, and just doing a screening test, devoid of whether you have symptoms or not,” Dr. Hugh Cassiere, a physician in critical care at Northwell Health, told The Independent. “That really goes against guidelines.” Hegseth announced the program in a video posted to X Wednesday. “We must constantly look for new ways to optimize your performance, your resilience and your long-term health,” Hegseth said in the video, framing the initiative as a way of “restoring and optimizing your natural capabilities, protecting your longevity.” Cassiere explained that standard medical practice only dictates testosterone screenings for patients already presenting... https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/hegseth-military-testosterone-screening-expert-opinion-b3016473.html