International Journal of Epidemiology 2002;31:285-293
© International Epidemiological Association 2002
Editorial |
A life course approach to chronic disease epidemiology: conceptual models, empirical challenges and interdisciplinary perspectives
a Department of Social Medicine, Canynge Hall, Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2PR, UK.
b Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and Development, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London Medical School, 1–19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
Yoav Ben-Shlomo.
What is a Life Course Approach to Chronic Disease Epidemiology?
Over the last few years there has been increasing interest in conceptualizing disease aetiology within a life course framework.1,2 This approach is not new to Public Health or unique to epidemiology (see below). However, its current resonance and interest within epidemiology reflects the challenging theoretical framework this approach provides. This issue of the International Journal of Epidemiology has several papers with a ‘life course theme’. This accompanying editorial is intended to highlight what we believe are the key conceptual issues around life course epidemiology. We have chosen to use examples from chronic disease epidemiology, but this approach is also applicable within the context of infectious diseases3 and wider notions of health and wellbeing.4
We have defined a life course approach to chronic disease epidemiology1 as the study of long-term effects on chronic disease risk of physical and social exposures during gestation, childhood, adolescence, young adulthood and later adult life. It
Conceptual Models in Life Course Epidemiology
How ‘Critical’ is a Critical Period?
Critical Versus Sensitive Periods
From Individual to Inter-generational and Population Determinants of Health
Other Epidemiological Paradigms
Putting Life Course in a Historical and Inter-disciplinary Context
Epidemiology
Other scientific disciplines
Empirical Challenges in Undertaking Life Course Analyses
Conclusions
Acknowledgments
References
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