Introduction

Question 1

Define “life course”

Answer 1

A set of inter-locking trajectories or pathways in
various domains (e.g. health, family, work) over an
individual’s life that are marked by a series of
events, transitions or exposures across biologically
and socially defined life stages

Question 2

What are the stages of life course?

Answer 2

• infancy
• childhood
• adolescence
• adulthood
• older age

Question 3

Define “life course epidemiology”

Answer 3

The study of the “biological, behavioural, and
psychosocial pathways’’ that link physical and social
exposures during gestation, childhood, adolescence and
adult life to chronic disease and other aspects of adult
health”

Question 4

What is the difference between traditional epidemiology and life course epidemiology?

Answer 4

Not only the exposure during adulthood is looked at but also the exposure throughout the whole life course

Question 5

What are the uses of life course epidemiology?

Answer 5

• Provides aetiological insights into lifelong health
• Provides evidence for the type, timing & targeting of interventions