Men’s Health Month

The importance of preventive practices on men’s health

June is Men’s Health Month, and the theme for 2026 is “Partners in Care: For Better Lifespans Across the Lifespan,” which emphasizes the role families, communities, and care providers have in improving men’s health outcomes. Join NICHQ in raising awareness about preventable health concerns and providing resources to improve the health and well-being of men, boys, and their families.

Fatherhood & Healthy Outcomes

Promoting Healthy Outcomes for ALL Men, Boys, and Families

Established in 1994, Men’s Health Month aims to educate families about the importance of preventive practices to help improve men’s health outcomes. This annual observance emphasizes the link between physical, mental, and social health and the importance of men taking charge of their health.

Men are less likely to seek preventive and mental health care services than women. They are also less likely to report having a primary care provider. Men with chronic diseases can have worsened depression outcomes, which can be linked to shortened lifespan. The increasing number of Americans reporting loneliness and social isolation has also been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, dementia, stroke, depression, and anxiety.

NICHQ INitiatives

Our Fatherhood Work

NICHQ is committed to increasing access to high-quality care for children and their families. We’re grateful to have insight from a team of experts on these project-related fatherhood initiatives.

Supporting Healthy Start Performance Project

Healthy Start is a community-based federal program seeking to eliminate disparities in infant mortality and perinatal outcomes by working to improve systems of community care in communities with infant mortality rates at least 1.5 times the U.S. national average.

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Community-Centered Hospital Initiative

The Community-Centered Hospital Initiative (CCHI) centers communities to uplift their capacity as leaders in improving perinatal and infant health by recognizing their expertise and building on their existing practices and processes.

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Spread the Word

Men’s Health Month Social Media Toolkit

Health professionals and advocates can share this social media toolkit by Men’s Health Network to continue the conversation about the importance of men’s health.

Men’s Health Month Toolkit

Learn the context behind Men’s Health Month with this toolkit, complete with shareable resources.

Access the Kit

Save the Date

Related Observances

Check out these related observances and events throughout the month!

  • June 14-21: Men’s Health Week
  • June 21: Father’s Day
  • June 22: International Father’s Mental Health Day

NICHQ Insights

Reading List for Men’s Health Month

At NICHQ, we are committed to helping every child achieve their optimal health. Check out our insights to learn how the well-being of fathers influences maternal and child health outcomes.

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Supporting the Whole Family: Fathers in Infant Health Outcomes

Preterm birth is a leading cause of infant mortality and morbidity in the U.S. And troublingly, recent data show that U.S. preterm birth rates have risen for the fourth consecutive year. Improvement starts by identifying what programs and policies do successfully support families, understanding what makes them successful, and then using those lessons to prompt…

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Making Fathers Visible in Maternal and Child Health

Involved fathers give children a better chance of leading happy and fulfilling lives. From cognitive and social emotional development to education and employment accomplishments, children with involved fathers achieve better outcomes on nearly every measure of child well-being. Father involvement is also linked with improved mental health and well-being for moms. Yet despite fathers’ positive impact…

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Promoting Fathers’ Mental Health During Children’s Early Childhood

Right from the beginning, fathers play a big role in their children’s health and development. Studies show that father involvement during the perinatal period and the first year of life leads to children who are more ready for school, have an advanced vocabulary and enhanced social skills, and are better able to regulate their emotions….

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Fathers: Powerful Allies for Maternal and Child Health

“Maternal and child health programs and professionals have become increasingly more cognizant of how fathers, specifically, affect their children’s health and development,” says NICHQ President and CEO Scott D. Berns, MD, MPH, FAAP. “Moving this conversation forward, and highlighting strategies that support father engagement and involvement, is a critical opportunity to improve children’s health outcomes…

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A Grandfather’s Passion to Transform Early Childhood Systems

DeAndre was born into a neighborhood where drug use was common, and poverty and gang violence were pervasive. He is one of too many children born into circumstances that illustrate why families need better supports and better systems.  DeAndre’s grandfather, David Armstrong, is a family partner on the Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Collaborative Improvement and Innovation…

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NICHQ News

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Additional Articles & Resources

Men’s Health Month

Throughout June, Men’s Health Network shares education, amplifies awareness, and distributes free resources to improve the health of men, boys, and the families who care about them.

Visit the Site

American Institute for Boys and Men (AIBM)

Too many men are slipping through the cracks. Richard V. Reeves explains why men’s health and mental health matters for everyone.

Watch the Video

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

June is Men’s Health Month — a time to break the silence around men’s mental health. Learn how to support, speak up, and fight stigma in your community.

Visit the Site

Postpartum Support International (PSI)

Help for Dads – The resources listed on this page provide fathers and postpartum partners informed support and connection at no charge.

Visit the Site