University of Hawai’i at Mānoa researchers have released an international review arguing that fathers’ health histories significantly shape pregnancy outcomes and infant development. The work, led by assistant professor Jonathan Huang in UH Mānoa’s Department of Public Health Sciences and co-authored by Keawe’aimoku Kaholokula, was published in The Lancet and contends that preconception care should shift from a “women-only” focus to a shared responsibility at couple and community levels.
Key Findings
The review traces how a man’s childhood experiences and adult health influence sperm biology, the support he provides his partner, and ultimately infant development. According to the research, early-life stress, chronic disease, substance use, and age are all linked to how a partner fares during pregnancy and to direct biological effects on a developing fetus. Huang stated that “the more we look, the more we find important contributions from fathers,” noting that some paternal effects rival those seen on the maternal side. A complementary scoping review in PLOS Global Public Health reported links between paternal metabolic health, substance use, environmental exposures, and congenital anomalies.
Culturally Grounded Approaches
Kaholokula, who chairs UH’s Department of Native Hawaiian Health, emphasizes the importance of culturally tailored interventions for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander men. He points to the traditional Hale Mua as a model for mentorship and emotional support, noting that men in these communities often respond better to community-rooted programs than standard Western-style interventions. Local advocates suggest that centering kuleana, strong family ties, and culturally grounded gathering spaces could increase men’s use of preventive care and help narrow intergenerational health gaps.
Next Steps
Researchers recommend that clinicians, public health agencies, and community groups treat preconception health as a life-course issue explicitly including boys and men. The International Core Indicators for Preconception Health and Equity (iCIPHE) Alliance is developing a core set of surveillance indicators. According to the authors, tailoring those indicators for Hawai’i could help the state target resources and design programs that reach men long before they become fathers. UH Mānoa has produced a video summary and soundbites for local audiences alongside the published review.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://hoodline.com/2026/03/uh-manoa-docs-to-hawai-i-dads-your-health-can-make-or-break-baby-s-start/