Abstract
This chapter introduces the role of public health to the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) primarily through social policy approaches. Social policies affect people’s well-being. The chapter provides background to various levels of prevention and actions needed in relation to DOHaD. DOHaD research underscores the importance of an individual’s circumstances and surrounding environment, particularly during the most vulnerable times of life, which provide great implications for improving social policy. Several social and environmental factors are discussed in relation to DOHaD, including among underserved or disadvantaged populations. The lack of action on social policy may well be due to policymakers’ lack of awareness of DOHaD. Suggestions for improving social policy incorporate peer-reviewed-policy recommendations. Finally, the chapter concludes with multiple factors that both public health practitioners and policymakers can consider to more systematically develop social policies in response to the mounting evidence supporting DOHaD.
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Novilla, M.L.B., Goates, M.C., Barnes, M.D., Packer, J.M. (2019). Public Health and Social Policy Perspectives on DOHaD. In: Vaiserman, A. (eds) Early Life Origins of Ageing and Longevity. Healthy Ageing and Longevity, vol 9. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-24958-8_15
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