Epidemiological Perspectives on the Life Course

Abstract

In the mid-twentieth century concerns about the beginnings of vulnerability to the prevailing problem of chronic disease gave rise to research showing the unique significance of growth early in life for health throughout the life course. New research investigated how early growth established health vulnerability or robustness and then sustained, augmented or reduced it throughout life. Data sources included follow-up studies of early life health and of those exposed to early health risk. Now life course epidemiology uses new techniques in genetics and other life sciences to increase understanding of how disease risk is established and maintained, and how ageing takes place, increasingly using new data resources. Findings from life course epidemiology are relevant for targeting preventive health care, and for understanding the effects of socioeconomic and environmental change on health, and the implications of changing population health for socioeconomic and environmental circumstances.