Life Course and Intergenerational Health (LIGHt)

Early life is the foundation for future health and life potential. Growth and development of the child, both before birth and after, are intimately linked to the health and well being of the mother. In turn, a woman’s health is influenced by her current family circumstances, her own life experiences, and her health inheritance from previous generations.

The LIGHT group seeks to understand the interplay of social and biological factors that influence health over the life course. A major focus is how chronic diseases and their risk factors are transmitted from parents to the next generation and how we could intervene to improve this situation. We investigate this in cohort studies, looking at the developmental origins of congenital malformations, reproductive disorders, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. We also undertake epidemiological, anthropological and other narrative research to understand how to improve the health of disadvantaged women.

Recently we showed that sleep disturbances were almost twice as common in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Assessment and management of sleep problems in these women would improve quality of life and could forestall deterioration in cardio-metabolic health over time. We contributed to work to understand the low rate of testing for fetal anomalies among pregnant Aboriginal women. Impediments to organising testing were identified, but the most important recommendation was for the test and related counselling to be undertaken by Aboriginal health practitioners.