The path ahead: From global pandemic to health promotion

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Amara Finch, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix; Anna Grace Tribble, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2021-03-01
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2020 The Author(s).
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2020.101271
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Preventive Medicine Reports
• Volume: 21
• Keywords: Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD); Life-course health; Chronic disease; Preventive medicine; Intergenerational health
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery; Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

The current COVID-19 pandemic represents an acute threat to the health of adults and children across the globe. In addition, it has the potential to worsen the health of future generations through intergenerational health effects. Examples from history, including the Dutch famine (Hongerwinter), suggest that in utero and early life environments may have significant implications for health outcomes throughout the lifespan and are important in determining risk of chronic disease in adulthood. Parental health status, stress, and nutrition appear to affect offspring health and are all affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, it is critical that we consider the potential impacts of the current pandemic on pregnant women, infants and children and take public health and medical actions to mitigate risk and promote health in future generations.