Lifelong Health

Communicating and acting on DOHaD knowledge

The science of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) explores how our development is influenced by our environment, particularly in the early years. This knowledge has the potential to make a vital contribution to lifelong health across generations.

Scientific evidence alone cannot achieve the change required. But when considered alongside insights from social, community, cultural, and political knowledge, collectively we can impact the different systems that shape children’s early life environments.

Our research focuses on awareness and understanding of this science across communities. We work in partnership with key actors from across society to facilitate conversations about lifecourse science that lead to positive outcomes for community health and wellbeing.

Throughout the world, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the main cause of preventable health problems, disabilities, and premature deaths (before age 70). NCDs, such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, are chronic conditions that usually develop very slowly.

The first 1,000 days of life, from when a baby is conceived until their second birthday, are very important for shaping long-term health. During this time, the brain develops rapidly, the immune system is programmed and the body learns to regulate its metabolism (energy use). Nutrition, environment, and care all affect these processes. Poor nutrition or exposure to harmful substances during this time can increase the risk of NCDs developing later in life. Stress may impact future learning and mental health. Investing in the first 1000 days helps establish healthy growth patterns and builds resilience against disease.

The environment before conception for both parents, and during pregnancy and early childhood is very important. However, to make the most of the first 1000 days of a child’s life, we need to start even earlier, during the adolescent years. Adolescents, aged 10 to 19, are building habits that will affect their adult lives and how they will parent in the future. These habits include what they eat, how active they are, and whether they use substances like alcohol or drugs. These health-related behaviours are linked to the wider socioeconomic, cultural and political environment all of which impact the health of adolescents and their future children.

Empowering young people with knowledge and skills to understand the impacts of the health of one generation on the next and explore social issues impacting community health can help them make healthy choices. Over time this can break intergenerational cycles of poor health and reduce the NCD burden for future generations.