Earliest environment: Disease prevention begins in the womb

The womb is the earliest environment that plays a role in our health throughout life, and thus provides an early opportunity to promote health across the lifespan. Factors that affect maternal health may also influence the health of the fetus. The fetus is vulnerable to environmental exposures during critical and sensitive periods because these are times of extensive developmental changes, such as cellular proliferation and rapidly changing and/or undeveloped metabolic and hormonal capabilities, immune system, and blood-brain barrier. Environmental exposures during preconception and prenatal windows of vulnerability can lead to adverse health effects that are apparent at birth, and/or to later-in-life deficits in function, as well as increased risks of disease and disability across the entire span of human life. This presentation will describe the relationship between preconception and prenatal environmental influences and health, and report on efforts to translate known and emerging science into practical prevention strategies from the individual to the policy level.