Healthy Male Plus Paternal Case for change Full report Final

Plus Paternal: A focus on fathers Case for Change Australian fathers want and deserve more from our health system. Non-birthing parents, most commonly men, are not systematically engaged or supported from pre- conception to parenthood. They are often treated as secondary to fertility, birthing and parenting processes — welcome but not active-partners. Healthy Male — together with men, health professionals and organisations from across Australia — is calling for changes to our health system, and society. This Case for Change outlines: • How social and gendered norms affect fathers • Why our health system needs to change, and • How, by taking a top-down and bottom-up approach, the system can be changed to recognise, value and support the health and wellbeing of men and women from preconception to parenthood. It also asks policy makers, organisations and individuals to support seven goals for achieving change: 1. Society recognises and values both parents equally 2. Health policy addresses the health and wellbeing of both parents 3. The health system supports the proactive engagement of both parents 4. Health professionals are willing and able to support men and women 5. Both parents are prepared for the transition to parenthood 6. Parents who experience loss, distress, or are struggling with parenthood, receive the care they need 7. Practice is evidence-informed and shaped by the lived-experiences of both men and women Achieving these goals will create healthier families. PLUS PATERNAL: CASE FOR CHANGE 3