WHO Webinar Highlights Health Sector’s Role in Supporting Parents

Health Sector’s Role in Strengthening Parenting and Caregiving

On April 22, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Child Health Task Force and the Early Childhood Development Action Network, hosted a webinar titled “The Role of the Health Sector in Supporting Parents and Their Caregiving Potential.”

The session underscored that parents and caregivers are central to children’s health, development, and well-being, but they cannot succeed alone. A whole-of-society approach is needed, with coordinated efforts from health, education, social services, and private sectors.

Key highlights included:

• Integration into Routine Health Services: Parenting support should be embedded in everyday health services, from pregnancy through adolescence. This includes anticipatory guidance, caregiver self-care, and information sharing.
• Strengthening Health Workers’ Practices: Training health professionals to provide evidence-based parenting support ensures families receive consistent and effective guidance.
• Cross-Sector Collaboration: Coordinated care pathways across health, education, and social services can enhance family well-being and reduce gaps in support.
• Practical Tools and Case Studies: Examples from Jordan and Tanzania demonstrated how parenting support can be sustainably integrated into health systems.

Speakers included experts from WHO, the Ministry of Health in Tanzania, the Ministry of Health in Jordan, and the Philippine General Hospital. They shared insights on how health systems can empower caregivers, prevent violence, and promote child and adolescent mental health.

The webinar reinforced that supporting parents is not optional—it is essential for building healthier communities. By embedding parenting support into health services, countries can strengthen family resilience, improve child outcomes, and ensure sustainable development.

This initiative forms part of the Global Initiative to Support Parents, reflecting WHO’s commitment to advancing child health and family well-being worldwide.