Report on Engaging Dads in Health Services

Fathers’ engagement with health services poses a specific challenge to health care professionals.  Evidence suggests that when fathers are engaged and involved with their families, the health outcomes for their children are improved - as are those of the men and mothers as well.  However, researchers in the area of men’s health and fatherhood conclude that gender disparities exist in relation to engaging fathers in health services.  Current methods utilised by health care professionals tend to adopt a more ‘mother-centric’ approach to intervention.  This may hinder fathers’ engagement because it can imply that men are not necessary or, indeed, welcomed at health services.  “Engaging Dads in Health Services” is a report from Australia which looks at some of these key issues.  It is available in Portable Document Format (PDF) from the University of Western Sydney by clcking here.