Background:
Today's Child Communications' National Initiative to address disparities in maternal and child health focuses attention on the role that men play in health maintenance and well being of their families. Through focus groups the project examines men's perception of the health care system, access to quality services, cultural competency, and attitudes regarding treatment practices. Utilizing resources such as, Today's Child magazine, male-focused forums, and collaborative activities with national organizations, the project seeks to empower and educate men and their families on how to gain access to quality services and improve the well being of their families.
Preliminary findings of the focus groups reveal that men are very concerned about the pervasiveness of negative images about black males in the media and the lack of positive images of black men as partners and fathers. Several men noted that these portrayals can have serious consequences in terms of the way they are perceived and treated by medical personnel.
While many men voiced their concern about being stereotyped as uninvolved participants in their children's lives, they also noted that they are not actively engaged by the sytem even when they are present.

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