The developmental approach to child and adult health

Abstract

Pediatricians should consider the costs and benefits of preventing rather than treating childhood diseases. We present an integrated developmental approach to child and adult health that considers the costs and benefits of interventions over the life cycle. We suggest policies to promote child health that are currently outside the boundaries of conventional pediatrics. We discuss current challenges to the field and suggest avenues for future research.

Figures

FIGURE 1

A life cycle framework for the development of capabilities.

FIGURE 2

Mean differences in outcomes due to early life factors versus the causal effect of education.