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Fetal origins—A life cycle model of health and aging from conception to death
Author(s) -
Dalgaard CarlJohan,
Hansen Casper Worm,
Strulik Holger
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
health economics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.55
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1099-1050
pISSN - 1057-9230
DOI - 10.1002/hec.4231
Subject(s) - longevity , in utero , shock (circulatory) , gerontology , developmental psychology , psychology , fetus , medicine , pregnancy , biology , genetics
The fetal origins hypothesis suggests that health and nutrition shocks in utero are causally related to health deficits in old age. It has received considerable empirical support, both within epidemiology and economics but so far it has not been integrated into a life cycle theory of human aging and longevity. The present study shows that the health deficit model, based on the frailty index developed in gerontology, generates shock amplification consistent with the hypothesis. In order to discuss human health over the life cycle from conception to death, we develop a theory of ontogenetic growth and health in utero and during childhood, unify it with the health deficit model of adult aging, and discuss the transmission of early‐life shocks to late‐life health deficit accumulation.