Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, resilience and social justice in the COVID era

Michael Penkler, Chandni M. Jacob, Ruth Müller, Martha Kenney, Shane A. Norris, Clarissa P. da Costa, Sarah S. Richardson, Tessa J. Roseboom, Mark Hanson

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleAcademicpeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a spotlight on how health outcomes are unequally distributed among different population groups, with disadvantaged communities and individuals being disproportionality affected in terms of infection, morbidity and mortality, as well as vaccine access. Recently, there has been considerable debate about how social disadvantage and inequality intersect with developmental processes to result in a heightened susceptibility to environmental stressors, economic shocks and large-scale health emergencies. We argue that DOHaD Society members can make important contributions to addressing issues of inequality and improving community resilience in response to COVID-19. In order to do so, it is beneficial to engage with and adopt a social justice framework. We detail how DOHaD can align its research and policy recommendations with a social justice perspective to ensure that we contribute to improving the health of present and future generations in an equitable and socially just way.
Original languageEnglish
Article numberA716
Pages (from-to)1-4
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of developmental origins of health and disease
Early online date2021
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 2021

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • DOHaD
  • community resilience
  • health equity
  • social justice

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