Northwestern study finds 60% of paternal deaths are preventable
While maternal mortality receives widespread attention across the United States, a new study published in JAMA Pediatrics reveals that fathers are dying at high rates following the birth of their children, with sixty percent of those deaths classified as preventable.
Key Clinical Takeaways:
- Northwestern University researchers tracked all 130,267 babies born in Georgia in 2017 and followed their fathers through 2022, recording 796 paternal deaths within five years.
- Preventable causes accounted for 60 percent of these deaths, including homicide, accidental injury, suicide, and overdose.
- Despite the high mortality rate among new fathers, no national tracking systems or maternal-style review committees currently exist to examine or prevent these deaths.
Northwestern Researchers Track Georgia Births to Uncover Paternal Mortality Rates
The deaths of fathers, however, have attracted far less scrutiny. Yet researchers have rarely studied these deaths specifically in the context of becoming a parent. Scientists at Northwestern University are working to bring more attention to that gap.
During that period, 796 fathers died. Another 296 fathers died from natural causes.
“That’s a huge blind spot.”
Social Vulnerability Drives Preventable Deaths Among Fathers
The results resemble a pattern already documented in maternal mortality research. Yet deaths among fathers remain largely uncounted and unaddressed. Previous research has also connected a father’s involvement with better health outcomes for children and families, while the absence of a father has been associated with a variety of negative outcomes for children.
Deaths from non-natural causes were more common among younger fathers. Births paid for by Medicaid and unmarried status were associated with a greater risk of homicide. Conversely, higher levels of education, Hispanic ethnicity and Tricare-paid births were associated with fewer deaths.
The Protective Effect of Fatherhood Amid Higher Death Risks
Although many fathers in the study died from preventable causes, researchers also uncovered a seemingly contradictory finding. Among men older than 20, fathers consistently had lower mortality rates than men who were not fathers.
“Being a father appears to be protective in this particular group of men,” Garfield said. “We were surprised to see reduced mortality among men who are fathers.”
Garfield, a pediatrician at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, noted that his clinical experiences with families in the neonatal intensive care unit helped motivate the research. “In my experience, that happens more often than mothers dying,” Garfield said.
Data Limitations and the Path Forward for National Tracking
Garfield hopes other states will conduct similar analyses of their own records. Other Northwestern co-authors include Clarissa D. Simon and Katy Bedjeti.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan.