Recent research uncovers how your father’s work may still shape your health years later
As a public health professional and physician, I’ve spent my career examining how environments—both physical and social—shape health outcomes. Whether working in community clinics, leading a city health department, or advising on global health initiatives, I’ve seen how where people live, work, and play often matters more than what’s in their medical chart.
A recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute adds another important layer to this understanding. It suggests that the occupation of one’s father could influence their risk of developing colorectal cancer later in life (Teitelbaum et al., 2024). That’s right, what your father did for a living decades ago may have long-term implications for your health today.
The study followed more than 20,000 individuals who were part of the Child Health and Development Studies, a long-running research cohort. It found that adults whose fathers worked in craft, service, or manual labor jobs had more than twice the rate of colorectal cancer compared to those whose fathers held professional or managerial positions. Even after adjusting for several socioeconomic factors, the trend persisted.
What this research highlights is not a matter of blame, but of exposure. Certain occupations—especially those in industrial, mechanical, or service sectors—may involve contact with hazardous materials, chemicals, or environmental conditions that we now understand to pose health risks. The concern isn’t limited to the individual worker, but potentially extends to the health of future generations.
In my experience, these findings resonate with broader trends in population health. Many of the communities I’ve served are impacted by a combination of historical inequities, environmental exposures, and limited access to preventive care. The study reminds us that health is never created in a vacuum—it is shaped by multigenerational patterns of opportunity, risk, and resilience.
So, what does this mean for families, clinicians, and policymakers?
First, we need to expand how we assess health risk. Family medical history has always been a key component of preventive care, but occupational history—especially of parents—could offer valuable insights, particularly for cancers and chronic conditions with environmental links.
Second, this research supports the continued need for strong workplace safety standards. Ensuring that workers are protected from harmful exposures today could have ripple effects for generations to come.
Third, we must continue to invest in health equity. That includes supporting early screening for colorectal cancer in high-risk populations, increasing awareness about occupational health, and reinforcing the importance of social and environmental determinants in clinical and public health decision-making.
From a global health perspective, these insights are not confined to any one country. Across the world, occupational exposures remain a significant but often overlooked contributor to chronic disease. In lower-income countries, where protections may be minimal and data scarce, the need to better understand and address these risks is urgent.
Ultimately, this study underscores an essential public health truth: our health is influenced by more than individual choices. It is also a product of the policies, environments, and systems that surround us—sometimes even before we’re born.
Poverty and privilege are often inherited, but so are risk and resilience. This study is not about blame; it’s about understanding how invisible legacies shape visible outcomes.
As we consider what it means to create healthier futures, we must start with a simple truth: our environment—past and present—matters. What our fathers breathed may influence what we face. What we choose to do about it today can change the future for generations to come.
Reference:
Teitelbaum, S. L., Belin, T. R., Tennenbaum, J., & Ritz, B. R. (2024). Father’s occupation and colorectal cancer in his adult offspring: A prospective cohort study. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 116(3), 251–259.
Dr. Frederick Echols, MD, is available as a subject matter expert on public health for press interviews and speaking engagements.
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About Dr. Fredrick Echols, MD
Dr. Fredrick L. Echols, MD is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Population Health and Social Justice Consulting, LLC, an Obama Foundation Global Leader, sought-after public speaker, black men’s health advocate, and accomplished physician with over 15 years of experience in public health. He has worked extensively with public and private sectors to address complex health issues through evidence-informed approaches. Dr. Echols is a graduate of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Population Health Training in Place program and the ASTHO-Morehouse School of Medicine’s Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program.
Passionate about health and justice, Dr . Echols’ notable roles include serving as Chief Executive Officer for Cure Violence Global, Health Commissioner for the City of St. Louis, and Director of Communicable Disease and Emergency Preparedness for the St. Louis County Department of Public Health. In these roles, he oversaw public health regulations, led COVID-19 response efforts, managed daily operations, and developed strategic partnerships. Dr. Echols also served as Chief of Communicable Diseases for the Illinois Department of Public Health and as a physician in the U.S. Navy. He continues to contribute to public health research and guides health organizations globally.
For more health tips follow Dr. Fredrick Echols @ Fredrick.Echols@gmail.com
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