Neuroscience, molecular biology, and the childhood roots of health disparities: building a new framework for health promotion and disease prevention.

Full Abstract

A scientific consensus is emerging that the origins of adult disease are often found among developmental and biological disruptions occurring during the early years of life. These early experiences can affect adult health in 2 ways--either by cumulative damage over time or by the biological embedding of adversities during sensitive developmental periods. In both cases, there can be a lag of many years, even decades, before early adverse experiences are expressed in the form of disease. From both basic research and policy perspectives, confronting the origins of disparities in physical and mental health early in life may produce greater effects than attempting to modify health-related behaviors or improve access to health care in adulthood.

Author information

Author/s: Shonkoff, Jack P (JP); Boyce, W Thomas (WT); McEwen, Bruce S (BS);

Affiliation: Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University, 50 Church St, Fourth Floor, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. jack_shonkoff(-atsign-)harvard.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Jun; vol 301 (issue 21) : pp 2252-9

Dates: Created 2009/06/03; Completed 2009/06/08;

PMID: 19491187, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 6/8/2009, IMS Date: 08 Jun 2009 00:00:00)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

Comments and Corrections

CommentIn: JAMA. 2009 Jun 3;301(21):2270-1. (PMID: 19491191)

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