The Lancet: A greater focus on men’s health could improve pregnancy outcomes and child development, experts argue

Male partners play a major role in the health of pregnant mothers and babies, and this is currently overlooked by policies and society, argue a group of international researchers in a Review, published in The Lancet.

The Review summaries evidence that various factors during a man’s life can influence their health and wellbeing around the time they become a father, and lead to important influences on the health of mother and child.

Global sperm counts have declined by over 50% from 1973 to 2018, with the rate of decline accelerating in the 21st century [1]. Studies highlighted in the Review suggest that factors including smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, high consumption of alcohol, age and some mental health disorders may alter sperm, which may influence pregnancy outcomes and child’s health. Authors say there should be greater awareness of how the lifestyle choices of young men can influence fertility and the health of their future children.

Beyond sperm, men can also influence child health by their parenting and interactions with the mother, both before and after having a child. Practical help and emotional support from partners are linked to healthier pregnancies and mothers, leading to healthier children. Fathers’ parenting also impacts child health, with some outcomes, such as preschool child weight, being influenced more by fathers than mothers. [2]

The review discusses the role of men’s mental health in relationship quality and coparenting dynamics, highlighting that childhood adverse experiences are a common contributor to poor mental health which can be exacerbated during the transition to parenthood. Authors call for more support for boys and young men’s mental health before they become fathers.

Additionally, there is early but growing evidence that expectant and new fathers experience hormonal and brain changes which are associated with higher parenting sensitivity and engagement. In Filipino men, fathers showed greater decreases in salivary testosterone than childless men, and those who grew up with engaged, supportive fathers had even lower salivary testosterone. [3] Authors say this is further evidence that men's health and environment can impact their engagement and caring behaviours.

The authors call for more awareness and support from society – such as strengthening paternity leave and not restricting government parental benefits to mothers - to enable a more equitable role for fathers in child health.

A linked paper on tracking changes in health before pregnancy over time across different countries using an agreed set of indicators will publish at the same time.

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36377604/
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18055667/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35639692/