Promotion of long-term health in early life.

Early-life interventions can significantly influence long-term health, with critical windows impacting the development of NCDs in high-income countries.

• Why it matters: Addressing early-life factors is essential to prevent the rising burden of noncommunicable diseases, which cause substantial morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs later in life.
• What they did: The study reviews how microbiome, epigenetics, nutrition, and psychological factors interact in early development, emphasizing the need for balanced healthcare, nutrition, and nurturing care strategies.
• The result: Implementing targeted early-life care can promote long-term health trajectories, reduce resource demands, and foster well-being, highlighting early life as a vital opportunity for health promotion.