The quality of our relationships is central to health throughout our lives and impacts our physical, mental, emotional and social well-being. Supporting the development of healthy relationships among individuals, families and communities is a priority of the Division of Maternal and Child Health. Efforts to support healthy relationships include:
- Participating in the Strengthening Families initiative to increase family well-being, enhance child development and reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect.
- Supporting efforts that focus on the prevention of domestic and sexual violence. This work emphasizes primary prevention by identifying risk and protective factors and stopping violence before it begins.
- Strengthening parent-child relationships through evidence-based home visiting.
- Championing initiatives and programs that promote healthy sexuality. Healthy sexuality means having the knowledge and power to express sexuality in ways that enrich one’s life, including sexual relationships that are consensual, respectful, informed and free from violence.