Story at-a-glance Sperm counts have declined by 50% over the last five decades, with poor sperm quality linked to chronic diseases and increased mortality risk A recent study shows men with higher sperm counts live longer on average. Those with more than 120 million motile sperm lived 2.7 years longer than men with fewer than 5 million Low sperm quality correlates with earlier onset of diseases, especially cardiometabolic conditions. This suggests semen quality could serve as a marker for health Major factors that reduce sperm quality include obesity, poor diet, chronic stress, exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs), smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption Strategies to improve reproductive health include maintaining healthy weight through proper nutrition, stress management, avoiding toxins, limiting EMF exposure, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol