The establishment of DOHaD working groups in Australia and New Zealand

Abstract

The evidence underpinning the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) is overwhelming. As the emphasis shifts more towards interventions and the translational strategies for disease prevention, it is important to capitalize on collaboration and knowledge sharing to maximize opportunities for discovery and replication. DOHaD meetings are facilitating this interaction. However, strategies to perpetuate focussed discussions and collaborations around and between conferences are more likely to facilitate the development of DOHaD research. For this reason, the DOHaD Society of Australia and New Zealand (DOHaD ANZ) has initiated themed Working Groups, which convened at the 2014-2015 conferences. This report introduces the DOHaD ANZ Working Groups and summarizes their plans and activities. One of the first Working Groups to form was the ActEarly birth cohort group, which is moving towards more translational goals. Reflecting growing emphasis on the impact of early life biodiversity - even before birth - we also have a Working Group titled Infection, inflammation and the microbiome. We have several Working Groups exploring other major non-cancerous disease outcomes over the lifespan, including Brain, behaviour and development and Obesity, cardiovascular and metabolic health. The Epigenetics and Animal Models Working Groups cut across all these areas and seeks to ensure interaction between researchers. Finally, we have a group focussed on 'Translation, policy and communication' which focusses on how we can best take the evidence we produce into the community to effect change. By coordinating and perpetuating DOHaD discussions in this way we aim to enhance DOHaD research in our region.

Translating the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease concept to improve the nutritional environment for our next generations: a call for a reflexive, positive, multi-level approach

“…These efforts may support better health for the next generation(s) and reduce future health inequities. 12,15,57,58,61,68 Nonetheless, previous work has identified a number of areas where translating DOHaD knowledge has the potential to cause social, psychological or even physical harm. [21][22][23][24][25] These concerns include: placing undue emphasis and thus stress and blame on expecting mothers; marginalizing or minimizing the roles of pregnant women's main supports; and, finally, taking emphasis away from the structural and policy-based factors shaping children's environments during development.…”

“…Specifically, Australia is working with New Zealand to assemble a joint working group on DOHaD 'Translation, Policy, and Communication', mainly comprising DOHaD-focused researchers interested in KT. 57 This group seeks to synthesize evidence related to the DOHaD hypothesis and to deliver 'a consistent message' to various stakeholders and to the general public via as many different media and interpersonal forums as possible. 57 Importantly, this group intends to relay simple messages such as ones 'explaining the basic principles of DOHaD' and to listen carefully to public responses to this kind of messaging.…”

“…57 This group seeks to synthesize evidence related to the DOHaD hypothesis and to deliver 'a consistent message' to various stakeholders and to the general public via as many different media and interpersonal forums as possible. 57 Importantly, this group intends to relay simple messages such as ones 'explaining the basic principles of DOHaD' and to listen carefully to public responses to this kind of messaging. 57 A similar set of working groups is being established for the continent of Africa, 54,58 with South Africa following Uganda as being especially close to ready for DOHaD KT.…”

“…57 Importantly, this group intends to relay simple messages such as ones 'explaining the basic principles of DOHaD' and to listen carefully to public responses to this kind of messaging. 57 A similar set of working groups is being established for the continent of Africa, 54,58 with South Africa following Uganda as being especially close to ready for DOHaD KT. 54 Finally, in Canada, our group is leading the 'Mothers to Babies (M2B)' study, which is assessing pregnant women's understanding of DOHaD-related concepts and asking for input from pregnant women (especially those experiencing vulnerability) and from frontline community care workers on how best to improve those understandings in the city of Hamilton, Ontario.…”

Review shows that early foetal alcohol exposure may cause adverse effects even when the mother consumes low levels

“…The concept of the developmental origin of health and disease has been put forward to expand the hypothesis of the foetal origins of adult diseases. This concept states that exposing the foetus to a suboptimal environment may lead to an individual being increasingly susceptible to developing diseases in adulthood . Experimental studies have identified a critical window, where the foetus is susceptible to alcohol intake in the period prior to implantation, which may contribute to chronic disease outcomes.…”