Promoting Lifelong Health for Families and Communities

Every child deserves a bright future, growing in a nurturing family and living in a supportive community. From the moment of conception, individuals grow in physical and relational environments that evolve and influence each other over time and that shape their biological and behavioral systems for life. Dramatic advances in a wide range of biological, behavioral, and social sciences have shown that each child’s future depends on genetic predispositions (the biology) and early environmental influences (the ecology), which affect later abilities to play, learn, work, and be physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy. Box 1 provides definitions for several key terms related to the lifelong health of children, families, and communities.