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Supporting Fathers Is Supporting Public Health
Why dads matter for family and community health in Saline County
by Meagan Rico
When we talk about public health, we often focus on individual choices: what we eat, how active we are, or whether we go to the doctor. But public health is just as much about the conditions that support healthy families, especially during life’s most important transitions. One of those transitions is becoming a parent.
Fatherhood plays a larger role in family health than many people realize. Research regularly shows that when fathers are supported, children are more likely to experience healthy development, mothers report better mental health, and families are more stable overall. In other words, supporting fathers isn’t just good for dads, it’s good for public health.
Why fathers matter for child and family health
Engaged fathers are linked to better outcomes for children, including improved emotional regulation, social skills, and long-term mental health. A consistent, supportive father figure can also help buffer children from stress and adversity during early life, which is a key period for brain development (Cabrera et al., 2018).
In Saline County, many parents juggle work, caregiving, and the challenges of rising living costs. When fathers are actively involved, they provide crucial support for their families, particularly in the months following a child’s birth.
Mental health matters for dads, too
Becoming a parent is a major life change, and fathers experience stress, anxiety, and depression more often than many people realize. New dads may feel pressure to “hold it together,” return to work quickly, or be the financial backbone of the family. Unfortunately, this can come at the expense of their own mental health.
When paternal mental health goes unaddressed, it can affect the entire household. Supporting fathers’ mental health helps create healthier relationships, more responsive caregiving, and stronger family connections.
Time is a health resource
One of the most important, and often overlooked, supports for new fathers is time. Time to bond with a new baby. Time to support a partner’s recovery. Time to adjust to a new family routine.
Access to paid parental leave gives families breathing room during a critical period. Studies show that when fathers can take paid time off after the birth or adoption of a child, families experience lower stress, stronger parent-child bonding, and improved mental well-being outcomes (Petts & Knoester, 2018; SRCD, 2023). For working families, especially those living paycheck to paycheck, paid leave can make the difference between stability and crisis.
From a public health perspective, time functions much like sleep, nutrition, or social support. It is a resource that protects health.
Supporting fathers strengthens communities
When families are healthier, communities are stronger (CDC, 2022). Supporting fathers contributes to:
- healthier childhood development
- reduced family stress
- improved mental health for parents
- greater economic stability
These benefits don’t stop at the front door of a home. They ripple into our communities.
A shared responsibility
Public health isn’t about telling families how to parent. It’s about forming spaces where families have what they need to thrive. That includes recognizing fathers as essential caregivers and making sure they have access to supports that promote health, stability, and connection.
When we support fathers, we support mothers. When we support parents, we support children. And when families are supported, the entire community benefits.
Bringing fatherhood into focus in Saline County
Recognizing the important role fathers play in family and community health, the Saline County Health Department is hosting Fathers In Focus, a one-day workshop designed specifically for dads.
This event will create space for fathers to connect, learn from local speakers, and gain practical tools to support their health and well-being, as well as their roles within their families. The workshop reflects what public health research shows: when fathers are supported, families and communities thrive.
Fathers In Focus will be held on Friday, April 3, 2026, from 4:00–8:00 p.m. at the Salina 4-H Building. The evening will include speakers, food, giveaways, and opportunities for dads to build meaningful connections with other fathers in the community.
Registration information is available through the QR code or at bit.ly/FathersInFocus26. For questions, community members can contact Kori at 785-826-6600.
Supporting fathers is one of the many ways public health works upstream. By taking this approach, we strengthen families before challenges become crises. Fathers In Focus is one way Saline County is investing in healthier families, stronger relationships, and a healthier community overall.
References
Cabrera, N. J., Volling, B. L., & Barr, R. (2018). Fathers are parents, too! Widening the lens on parenting for children’s development. Child Development Perspectives, 12(3), 152–157. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdep.12275
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2002). Essentials for parenting toddlers and preschoolers. https://www.cdc.gov
Petts, R. J., & Knoester, C. (2018). Paternity leave-taking and father engagement. Journal of Marriage and Family, 80(4), 1069–1086.
Society for Research in Child Development. (2023). Paid family and medical leave improves well-being of children and families. https://www.srcd.org
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