Bringing Fathers Into Focus: An Equity-Centered Systematic Review of Black Men’s Transition to Fatherhood and Perinatal Health
1
Department of Health Management and Policy, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, United States
2
Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, United States
3
Department of Women, Children & Family Nursing, Rush University, Chicago, United States
4
Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, United States
5
J. Otto Lottes Health Sciences Library, University of Missouri, Columbia, United States
6
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, Detroit, United States
7
Department of Family and Community Health, PennNursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States
8
Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Black fathers play central roles in Black maternal and child health (MCH), yet research on the health of these men during the transition to fatherhood remains limited. Although men’s reproductive wellness and their social roles as fathers are closely linked, little is known about how Black men’s perinatal experiences during this transition affect their own health.
OBJECTIVE:
To synthesize the scientific evidence on Black men’s unique experiences and perinatal health during the first 1000 days of fatherhood.
METHODS:
Using the PRISMA-Equity and PROGRESS-Plus framework, we conducted a systematic review of articles published up to January 2025 to synthesize and critically review existing evidence on Black men’s experiences during the first 1000 days and how these experiences impact their health behaviors and outcomes. We identified 3551 articles, and 22 met the eligibility criteria. Analyses characterized fathers’ mental, physical, and behavioral health outcomes and examined individual, relational, and contextual experiences during the transition to fatherhood.
RESULTS:
Across the 22 studies included (total sample size = 10239), approximately 21% of the participants were Black fathers. Findings showed that the biophysiological and behavioral health effects of fatherhood were more severe for Black fathers than for fathers from other racial and ethnic groups. The transition to fatherhood was associated with adverse outcomes such as increased stress, weight gain, reduced semen quality, and depressive symptoms. Black fathers also faced significant relational and contextual challenges that limited their full participation during the transition to fatherhood.
CONCLUSIONS:
This review shows that Black fathers are invisible in perinatal research and practice despite evidence of health risks and opportunities during their transition to fatherhood. The review highlights an urgent need to recognize and address the unique challenges and systemic barriers Black fathers face in optimizing perinatal health, with important implications for wellbeing and for maternal and child health.
Black fathers play central roles in Black maternal and child health (MCH), yet research on the health of these men during the transition to fatherhood remains limited. Although men’s reproductive wellness and their social roles as fathers are closely linked, little is known about how Black men’s perinatal experiences during this transition affect their own health.
OBJECTIVE:
To synthesize the scientific evidence on Black men’s unique experiences and perinatal health during the first 1000 days of fatherhood.
METHODS:
Using the PRISMA-Equity and PROGRESS-Plus framework, we conducted a systematic review of articles published up to January 2025 to synthesize and critically review existing evidence on Black men’s experiences during the first 1000 days and how these experiences impact their health behaviors and outcomes. We identified 3551 articles, and 22 met the eligibility criteria. Analyses characterized fathers’ mental, physical, and behavioral health outcomes and examined individual, relational, and contextual experiences during the transition to fatherhood.
RESULTS:
Across the 22 studies included (total sample size = 10239), approximately 21% of the participants were Black fathers. Findings showed that the biophysiological and behavioral health effects of fatherhood were more severe for Black fathers than for fathers from other racial and ethnic groups. The transition to fatherhood was associated with adverse outcomes such as increased stress, weight gain, reduced semen quality, and depressive symptoms. Black fathers also faced significant relational and contextual challenges that limited their full participation during the transition to fatherhood.
CONCLUSIONS:
This review shows that Black fathers are invisible in perinatal research and practice despite evidence of health risks and opportunities during their transition to fatherhood. The review highlights an urgent need to recognize and address the unique challenges and systemic barriers Black fathers face in optimizing perinatal health, with important implications for wellbeing and for maternal and child health.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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