Daily HealthBeat Tip

Pre-dads work

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I'm Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Being a good dad can start before fatherhood. A woman in good health is more likely to have a healthy baby � and the man in her life can help her prepare.

At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Hani Atrash says men can learn about women's health, such as such as folic acid supplements, which can prevent some serious birth defects.

Atrash says men also can know the genetic diseases in their family tree, and get checked for sexually transmitted diseases. And men in some jobs have extra work:

"Men who work with chemicals and other toxins need to be careful that they do not expose women to them." (six seconds)

Atrash says that, for example, workers who use fertilizers or pesticides should change clothes before they see women at home, and wash their clothes separately.

Learn more at www.hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I'm Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: July 17, 2006

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