RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Will our children be healthy adults? Applying science to public health policy
JF Clinical Medicine
JO Clin Med
FD Royal College of Physicians
SP 595
OP 599
DO 10.7861/clinmedicine.10-6-595
VO 10
IS 6
A1 Catherine Law
YR 2010
UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/10/6/595.abstract
AB Cardiovascular disease is predicted to be a leading cause of death and disability worldwide for the foreseeable future. Observational studies link a variety of prevalent early life experiences (for example, smoking in pregnancy, child poverty) to increased risk of adult cardiovascular disease. Experimental animal studies suggest plausible causal relationships. However, there has been little consideration of how to use this wealth of information to benefit children's futures. Policy documents have drawn on research evidence to recognise that early experience influences life chances, the development of human capital, and long-term health. This has led to a general policy emphasis on prevention and early intervention. To date, there are few examples of the evidence base being useful in shaping specific policies, despite potential to do so, and some examples of policy misunderstanding of science. Minor changes to the perspectives of epidemiological research in this area might greatly increase the potential for evidence-based policy.