Assuntos
Negro ou Afro-Americano/estatística & dados numéricos , Expectativa de Vida/tendências , Mortalidade/tendências , População Branca/estatística & dados numéricos , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Feminino , Previsões , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fatores SocioeconômicosRESUMO
Efforts to reduce infant mortality in the United States have failed to incorporate paternal involvement. Research suggests that paternal involvement, which has been recognized as contributing to child development and health for many decades, is likely to affect infant mortality through the mother's well-being, primarily her access to resources and support. In spite of that, systemic barriers facing the father and the influence on his involvement in the pregnancy have received little attention. The Commission on Paternal Involvement in Pregnancy Outcomes (CPIPO) has identified the most important social barriers to paternal involvement during pregnancy and outlined a set of key policy priorities aimed at fostering paternal involvement. This article summarizes the key recommendations, including equitable paternity leave, elimination of marriage as a tax and public assistance penalty, integration of fatherhood initiatives in MCH programs, support of low-income fathers through employment training, father inclusion in family planning services, and expansion of birth data collection to include father information.
Assuntos
Comportamento Paterno , Formulação de Políticas , Comitês Consultivos , Emprego , Feminino , Política de Saúde , Humanos , Licença Parental/legislação & jurisprudência , Gravidez , Impostos/legislação & jurisprudência , Estados UnidosRESUMO
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review current research, policy, and practice on paternal involvement in pregnancy outcomes and suggest recommendations to improve paternal involvement in pregnancy and childbirth. RECENT FINDINGS: Although much has been written about fathers' influence on child health and development, little is known about the expectant father's role in pregnancy and childbirth. Recent studies have demonstrated the importance of paternal involvement during pregnancy, but more research is needed to identify specific contributions expectant fathers make and their impact on reducing infant mortality and associated risk factors during pregnancy and childbirth. SUMMARY: Obstetricians-gynecologists can play a greater role in promoting research, policy and practice to improve paternal involvement in pregnancy and childbirth.