S. 2131: Dads Matter Act of 2025

The Dads Matter Act of 2025 aims to increase awareness of the importance of fathers in the pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum processes. The key components of the bill include:

Public Awareness Campaign

The Secretary of Health and Human Services will initiate a public awareness campaign within two years of the law's enactment. This campaign will focus on:

• Educating the public about the father's role in pregnancy and parenting.
• Providing resources to counter negative narratives about father involvement.
• Highlighting the impact of father participation on maternal and infant health outcomes.

Key Messages in the Campaign

The campaign will include specific information on:

• The importance of father-to-infant skin contact for the baby's health and bonding.
• How fathers can support mothers' behavioral health.
• The role of fathers in ensuring more frequent prenatal and postpartum appointments for mothers.
• The benefits of father attendance in medical appointments.
• Understanding paternal postpartum depression.
• Supporting successful breastfeeding through father's involvement.
• Encouraging discussions about safety regarding infant care, reducing risks such as shaken baby syndrome.

Guidance to States

Within one year of enactment, the Secretary will guide states on how to encourage father involvement in maternity care. This includes:

• Training healthcare providers on the benefits of engaging fathers.
• Providing information on how fathers can support their partners during pregnancy and childbirth.
• Promoting access to resources and support for fathers, especially in communities where male involvement is less typical.
• Addressing cultural beliefs about fatherhood and reinforcing the positive role fathers can play in health care.

Study and Report

After six years, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) will conduct a study on the effectiveness of the initiatives under this Act and report its findings to Congress. This will help assess the impact of the legislation on father engagement and health outcomes.

Findings on Father Engagement

The bill outlines several findings that underscore the importance of father involvement during pregnancy, including:

• Fathers' participation in prenatal care helps mothers recognize potential complications, improving overall maternal health.
• Active father engagement can reduce risks of postpartum mood disorders and improve outcomes for preterm birth and infant health.
• Involvement in prenatal care is linked to higher rates of first-trimester care for mothers.

Conclusion

The Dads Matter Act of 2025 aims to promote greater inclusion of fathers in the various stages of pregnancy and early parenting, thereby improving health outcomes for both mothers and infants.

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