Understanding and acting on the developmental origins of health and disease in Africa would improve health across generations

• Published in: Global health action 2017, Vol.10 (1), p.1334985-1334985
• Main Authors: Norris, Shane A., Daar, Abdallah, Balasubramanian, Dorairajan, Byass, Peter, Kimani-Murage, Elizabeth, Macnab, Andrew, Pauw, Christoff, Singhal, Atul, Yajnik, Chittaranjan, Akazili, James, Levitt, Naomi, Maatoug, Jihene, Mkhwanazi, Nolwazi, Moore, Sophie E., Nyirenda, Moffat, Pulliam, Juliet R. C., Rochat, Tamsen, Said-Mohamed, Rihlat, Seedat, Soraya, Sobngwi, Eugene, Tomlinson, Mark, Toska, Elona, van Schalkwyk, Cari
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Africa; Africa - epidemiology; Cardiovascular disease; Child development; Conservation of Natural Resources; Current Debate; Debate; developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD); Diabetes; Disease prevention; Early childhood education; Epidemiology; Experts; Female; Health care; Health sciences; HIV; Human capital; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Infancy; Infectious diseases; Intervention; life course epidemiology; life course idemiology; Malaria; Malnutrition; Medical research; Mental disorders; Mental health; Mortality; non-communicable disease; Noncommunicable Diseases - prevention & control; Nutrition; Pediatrics; policy; Pregnancy; Prevention programs; Preventive Medicine - organization & administration; Preventive Medicine - standards; Public Health; Scientists; Sustainable development; Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• ISSN: 1654-9716; 1654-9880; 1654-9880
• DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2017.1334985

Data from many high- and low- or middle-income countries have linked exposures during key developmental periods (in particular pregnancy and infancy) to later health and disease. Africa faces substantial challenges with persisting infectious disease and now burgeoning non-communicable disease.This paper opens the debate to the value of strengthening the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) research focus in Africa to tackle critical public health challenges across the life-course. We argue that the application of DOHaD science in Africa to advance life-course prevention programmes can aid the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, and assist in improving health across generations. To increase DOHaD research and its application in Africa, we need to mobilise multisectoral partners, utilise existing data and expertise on the continent, and foster a new generation of young African scientists engrossed in DOHaD.