Oral

The Life Course Perspective is a conceptual framework that helps explain health and disease patterns across populations and over time. Life course perspective points to broad social, economic and environmental factors as underlying causes of persistent inequalities in health for a wide range of diseases and conditions across population groups. This session will support maternal and child health programs and professionals across the country as they move towards implementation of a life course perspective. The session will provide an overview of the life course framework and examples of how the maternal and child health field is implementing a life course perspective into policies and programs. Examples from clinical practice, community approaches, and the national and federal level will be shared. The session will also include an interactive panel discussion around opportunities and challenges related to advancing a life course perspective in maternal and child health programs and policies.

Session Objectives: - By the end of the Martha May Eliot Forum, participants will demonstrate a greater understanding of the life course theory and implications for maternal and child health practice. - By the end of the Martha May Eliot Forum, participants will identify ways in which to apply life course perspective to maternal and child health policy and practice. - By the end of the Martha May Eliot Forum, participants will discuss the challenges and opportunities of advancing a life course perspective in maternal and child health practice.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)