Cardiovascular Health and Black Fatherhood: Examining the Relationship Between Fatherhood Status, In-Kind Involvement, and High Blood Pressure
1
Department of Health Management and Policy, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, United States
2
Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, United States
3
School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
4
Diana R. Garland School of Social Work, Baylor University, Waco, United States
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Father involvement is widely recognized as crucial to children’s health and development and has also been shown to promote positive maternal outcomes. However, little is known about the potential health benefits that involvement may have for fathers themselves. Cardiovascular disease (CVD), which disproportionately affects Black men, remains a leading cause of poor health and mortality. Prior research has identified fatherhood as a determinant of cardiovascular health, suggesting that the experience of fatherhood can shape men’s well-being in meaningful ways. For Black fathers who simultaneously endure negative stereotyping of their fatherhood, we argue that involvement through in-kind support may improve their own cardiovascular health.
METHODS:
Data from the 2019-2023 National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) was used to identify non-Hispanic Black men (n= 950) and categorized as non-residential [NR] (5.9%), residential [R] (21.3%) and non-father [NF] (73%). Logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between fatherhood status, father involvement and high blood pressure among Black men.
RESULTS:
Most fathers were ages 25-49 years (<80%) while most non-fathers were between 15-34 years (83.5%). Independent of fatherhood status, all Black men had a high prevalence of high blood pressure (NR=14.9%, R=11.1%, NF=13.1%). However, NR and R fathers had non-statistically significant lower odds for HBP compared to NF (NR: aOR(fully adjusted) = 0.81, (CI=0.4, 1.7) vs R: aOR(fully adjusted) = 0.51(0.2, 1.3). NR and R fathers were similarly highly involved with their children, and father involvement was statistically significantly associated with lower odds for HBP (aOR: 0.71 (95% CI = 0.51, 0.99).
CONCLUSIONS:
Black fathers’ cardiovascular health remains staggeringly poor. Father involvement, through in-kind support, could improve their health, which should be promoted and fostered through policies and programs.
Father involvement is widely recognized as crucial to children’s health and development and has also been shown to promote positive maternal outcomes. However, little is known about the potential health benefits that involvement may have for fathers themselves. Cardiovascular disease (CVD), which disproportionately affects Black men, remains a leading cause of poor health and mortality. Prior research has identified fatherhood as a determinant of cardiovascular health, suggesting that the experience of fatherhood can shape men’s well-being in meaningful ways. For Black fathers who simultaneously endure negative stereotyping of their fatherhood, we argue that involvement through in-kind support may improve their own cardiovascular health.
METHODS:
Data from the 2019-2023 National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) was used to identify non-Hispanic Black men (n= 950) and categorized as non-residential [NR] (5.9%), residential [R] (21.3%) and non-father [NF] (73%). Logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between fatherhood status, father involvement and high blood pressure among Black men.
RESULTS:
Most fathers were ages 25-49 years (<80%) while most non-fathers were between 15-34 years (83.5%). Independent of fatherhood status, all Black men had a high prevalence of high blood pressure (NR=14.9%, R=11.1%, NF=13.1%). However, NR and R fathers had non-statistically significant lower odds for HBP compared to NF (NR: aOR(fully adjusted) = 0.81, (CI=0.4, 1.7) vs R: aOR(fully adjusted) = 0.51(0.2, 1.3). NR and R fathers were similarly highly involved with their children, and father involvement was statistically significantly associated with lower odds for HBP (aOR: 0.71 (95% CI = 0.51, 0.99).
CONCLUSIONS:
Black fathers’ cardiovascular health remains staggeringly poor. Father involvement, through in-kind support, could improve their health, which should be promoted and fostered through policies and programs.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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