Browsing by Author "Singhal, Atul"

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    Developmental origins of health and disease in Africa - influencing early life
    (Elsevier, 2018) Davies, Justine Ina; Macnab, Andrew John; Byass, Peter; Norris, Shane A.; Nyirenda, Moffat; Singhal, Atul; Sobngwi, Eugene; Daar, Abdallah S.
    It is well established that Africa is undergoing rapid transitions resulting in a triple burden of malnutrition, infectious diseases, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).1,2 That health systems are unlikely to be able to cope with this burden is also widely noted.1,2 What is less often discussed outside academic circles is the degree to which infectious diseases and malnutrition in Africa are exacerbating the burden of NCDs, and the implications of this exacerbation for individuals and populations.
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    Understanding and acting on the developmental origins of health and disease in Africa would improve health across generations
    (Taylor & Francis Open, 2017) Norris, Shane A.; Daar, Abdallah; Balasubramanian, Dorairajan; Byass, Peter; Kimani-Murage, Elizabeth; Macnab, Andrew; Pauw, Christoff; Singhal, Atul; Yajnik, Chittaranjan; Akazili, James; Levitt, Naomi; Maatoug, Jihene; Mkhwanazi, Nolwazi; Moore, Sophie E.; Nyirenda, Moffat; Pulliam, Juliet R. C.; Rochat, Tamsen; Said-Mohamed, Rihlat; Seedat, Soraya; Sobngwi, Eugene; Tomlinson, Mark; Toska, Elona; Van Schalkwyk, Cari
    Data from many high- and low- or middle-income countries have linked exposures during key developmental periods (in particular pregnancy and infancy) to later health and disease. Africa faces substantial challenges with persisting infectious disease and now burgeoning non-communicable disease.This paper opens the debate to the value of strengthening the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) research focus in Africa to tackle critical public health challenges across the life-course. We argue that the application of DOHaD science in Africa to advance life-course prevention programmes can aid the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, and assist in improving health across generations. To increase DOHaD research and its application in Africa, we need to mobilise multisectoral partners, utilise existing data and expertise on the continent, and foster a new generation of young African scientists engrossed in DOHaD.