After the Baltimore riots, Dr. Richard Vatz discussed the politics of fatherlessness, saying: “Progressive political leaders are loathe to address or discuss fatherlessness as a problem and resent those who do… When I have discussions on the topic with Republicans, they say the issue should be front and center but claim there is no willing audience...Continue reading
Most people see thousands of media images daily. Over time, these portrayals help shape our expectations of parenthood, in ways some call “gender stereotyping.” While the media now lambastes fatherhood, portrayals weren’t always this way. Bob Thompson, director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture, said: “While dads in ‘Leave It to Beaver’ and ‘The Donna...Continue reading
While it obviously takes money to raise children, existing child support laws create fatherless kids. Calls to restructure child support aren’t new as editorials have appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Denver Post, The Baltimore Sun, The Boston Globe, The Charleston Post And Courier and in a report by National Public Radio. Examining how child support creates fatherlessness begins...Continue reading
Attorney Robert Franklin recently said: “The terrible effect of fatherlessness on children, including when they become adults, is the single greatest social ill we face. And yet we promote it – actively promote it – as a matter of public policy.” Worse still, it’s done to benefit a wealthy special interest group. Family law is a $50 billion industry...Continue reading
Last week, I attended a timely briefing on Capitol Hill about the ongoing opioid crisis in the United States. The briefing was hosted by Air Conditioning Contractors of America’s (ACCA) partners at the Men’s Health Network, Congressman Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ) and Congressman Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), who is a former HVAC contractor. It is great...Continue reading
The proper ways for handling a patient’s health records are set forth by the government at national and local levels. All healthcare organizations must have systems in place to comply with these legal requirements, referred to as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996). The penalties associated with not following the laws and...Continue reading
As a doctor, there are certain things I’ve never said, and will never say, to patients. In the operating room, “Oops” is certainly verboten. “There is no hope,” is another. “Trust me, I’m a doctor” is a third. In some way, each of these violates the sanctity of the profession. Help Me Help You Patients...Continue reading
In 2012, Men’s Health Network launched the Dialogue on Men’s Health series, which regularly brings together healthcare professionals, patient groups, community organizations, private corporations, and government agencies to address the unique challenges that confront men, boys, and their families. So you can imagine how delighted we were when the U.S. Department of Health and Human...Continue reading
Back in 2008, in the summer between semesters at graduate school, I took an internship with the Men’s Health Network (MHN) in Washington, D.C. I had no idea then how transformative it would be. Looking back now, it was a reality check of sorts. In the semester before my internship, I took a class on...Continue reading
It was a “seminal” event, and by White House invitation. The topic? The future of men’s health. Why are men medically underserved in America? What cultural factors are at play that we can change? Who should be involved? Seeds of Change An impressive array of stakeholders was present for the dialogue. Hats off to the...Continue reading