A Life Course Approach to Chronic Diseases Epidemiology (Oxford Medical Publications): 2 (Life Course Approach to Adult Health) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0198578156 ISBN 13: 9780198578154

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2004

Synopsis

The first edition in 1997 of A Life Course Approach to Chronic Disease Epidemiology became a classic text for epidemiological and public health researchers interested in the childhood origins of adult chronic disease. Since then the new field of life course epidemiology has expanded rapidly, attracting the interest not only of academics across the health and social sciences but also policy makers, funding bodies, and the general public. Its purpose is to study how biological and social factors during gestation, childhood, adolescence and earlier adult life independently, cummulatively and interactively influence later life health and disease. Contributors to this fully revised second edition capture the excitement of the developing field and asses the latest evidence regarding sources of risk to health across the life course and across generations. The original chapters on life course influences on cardiovascular disease, diabetes, blook pressure, respiratory disease and cancer have been updated and extended. New chapters on life course influences on obesity, biological ageing and neuropsychiatric disorders have been added. Life course explanations for disease trends and for socioeconomic differentials in disease risk are given more attention in this new edition, reflecting recent developments in the field. The section on policy implications has been expanded, assessing the role of interventions to improve childhood social circumstances, as well as interventions to improve early growth. Emerging new research themes and the theoretical and methodological challenges facing life course epidemiology are highlighted.

About this title

Product Description

This updated volume is concerned with tracing the origins of ill health, from early months through to adult life. Providing a review of the latest scientific evidence, it has great relevance for the understanding of the development of chronic diseases which are the consequence of cumulative exposure to damaging physical and social environments.

Review

From reviews of the previous edition:

We still have much to learn if disease patterns are to be explained by taking a life course approach... this book provides strong arguments for this approach... the book is a highly qualified starting point for the debate... it will remain a useful summary of pioneer research of huge potential importance for public health. (Epidemiology)

This is not just another epidemiology textbook. It is essential reading for anyone with an active mind who is interested in public health. (Journal of Public Health Medicine)

A truly exciting and extremely informative endeavour for anyone interested in the determinants of human health and disease. This discussion is at the core of current public health issues. (European Journal of Public Health)

The conclusion is of major importance to public health policy. It reinforces the need for a life course strategy, with attention being paid to the mother, baby, child adolescent, and elderly person. (BMJ)

Provokes thought about the origins of chronic diseases, suggests new approaches to identifying particular susceptible individuals and encourages the identification of optimal points in the life course for possible preventive interventions. (Chronic Diseases in Canada)

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0198578156
• ISBN 13: 9780198578154
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 498
• Editor: Kuh Diana