The interconnectedness of family health is an issue that mothers and fathers have long understood. A child doesn’t grow up in a vacuum — her parents, family, home, and community all impact the child in diverse ways. However, until recently, the impact of a father’s presence (and his own health) on a child’s development has been under-emphasized in public policy and not well researched.
We’re proud to share the nascent work taking place at the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health where a research study will help to expand our knowledge of these parental-child health connections. The National Children’s Study is exploring children’s health through a lens that explores not just “maternal and child health” but also “paternal and child health”. It’s an important step toward advancing early childhood development and toward making stronger public connections between young children and healthy men.