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health care. He was selected by the project because he is respected by the community—and because he is a man. Health workers in Latin America have found that men are more likely to listen to other men, especially about topics like women’s health. Family Health Is Men's Work, Too M iguel González Dávila’s wife, Yadira Cantillana, had already given birth to a daughter when the Catholic Relief Services-supported Child Survival project began in Nicaragua. But the family did not know that a maternity house was within traveling distance, so Yadira had little choice but to deliver her daughter at home with a midwife. expect pregnant women to take care of their households throughout their pregnancies, so it goes without saying that the responsibility for caring for newborns often falls squarely on a woman’s shoulders. Together, Yadira and Miguel learned about their health care options. Each time the couple met with project staff, they learned more about how to deliver a healthy baby and how to care for their little one after he or she has arrived. In fact, program promoters insist that husbands and wives agree on a birth plan before the actual delivery. As Miguel learned more about his family’s needs, he realized that caring for his family’s health was not solely Yadira’s responsibility. “[Miguel] has changed,” Yadira says. “Now he helps me a lot with the baby.” As husbands like Miguel become more involved in family life, their households become supportive environments for raising children— and other families are more likely to follow their example. Health workers in Nicaragua say that getting men involved in maternal health has been key to the program’s success. n But when Yadira became pregnant a second time, Miguel’s stepfather, Félix Obregón, had some important information to share. Félix was Many women in rural areas of Latin working as a program promoter with America give birth at home without a the Child Survival project, a CRSdoctor, prenatal checkups, postnatal supported effort that helps improve the health of women and children in care or health education. Poor communities are often far away from remote areas of northern Nicaragua the nearest health facility. Many men by involving men in their family’s “Now he helps me a lot with the baby.” Catholic Relief Services R1CB02_WB2_Health_NewsMag.indd 6-7 The Wooden Bell TM 7 1/11/13 3:25 PM