Fathers Matter: Exploring Paternal experiences of adverse pregnancy and the loss of Black mothers

December 2022 - June 2024

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Richard King Mellon Foundation, The University of Pittsburgh

Healthy start has partnered with the University of Pittsburgh to explore paternal lived experiences, investigate the effect of previously unexplored paternal characteristics on persistent adverse pregnancy outcomes, and examine the role of fathers’ engagement in reproductive health and pregnancy to reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes. As part of this project, we will identify agencies that offer services for fathers to make resources more visible to interested fathers, and we will hold focus groups to capture the experiences of Black fathers whose partners are having or have had a difficult pregnancy.

Healthy Start’s role in this project is to serve as the primary community partner and leader, to assist with convening a network of father serving organizations in Pittsburgh and nationally, to provide feedback on proposed measurement for qualitative and quantitative research aims, to contribute to intervention design and development, and to continue partnership in the dissemination of research findings in scientific and community audiences.