Experts weigh in on Kennedy’s claims about sperm and fertility

Published May 15, 2026 6:00AM (EDT)

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies during a hearing with the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

This story was originally published by The 19th .

Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has, historically, been very public about his concerns about what is plaguing the nation’s well-being. His long, complicated history with vaccines is well-documented . So is his long-standing spat with fluoride . Unlike President Donald Trump, he is not a fan of fast food, but he is a big believer in animal protein and raw milk .

And this week, he spoke about another issue vexing him: men’s sperm count.

“The fertility crisis for women began in 2007; for men in 1970. Men had twice the sperm count as our teenagers do today. This is an existential crisis for our country.…