An integrative approach for the analysis of risk and health across the life course: challenges, innovations, and opportunities for life course research

Abstract Life course epidemiology seeks to understand the intricate relationships between risk factors and health outcomes across different stages of life to inform prevention and intervention strategies to optimize health throughout the lifespan. However, extant evidence has predominantly been base...

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Main Authors: Sascha Zuber, Laura Bechtiger, Julien Stéphane Bodelet, Marta Golin, Jens Heumann, Jung Hyun Kim, Matthias Klee, Jure Mur, Jennie Noll, Stacey Voll, Patrick O’Keefe, Annekatrin Steinhoff, Ulf Zölitz, Graciela Muniz-Terrera, Lilly Shanahan, Michael J. Shanahan, Scott M. Hofer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2023-07-01
Series:Discover Social Science and Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44155-023-00044-2
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author Sascha Zuber
Laura Bechtiger
Julien Stéphane Bodelet
Marta Golin
Jens Heumann
Jung Hyun Kim
Matthias Klee
Jure Mur
Jennie Noll
Stacey Voll
Patrick O’Keefe
Annekatrin Steinhoff
Ulf Zölitz
Graciela Muniz-Terrera
Lilly Shanahan
Michael J. Shanahan
Scott M. Hofer
author_facet Sascha Zuber
Laura Bechtiger
Julien Stéphane Bodelet
Marta Golin
Jens Heumann
Jung Hyun Kim
Matthias Klee
Jure Mur
Jennie Noll
Stacey Voll
Patrick O’Keefe
Annekatrin Steinhoff
Ulf Zölitz
Graciela Muniz-Terrera
Lilly Shanahan
Michael J. Shanahan
Scott M. Hofer
author_sort Sascha Zuber
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Life course epidemiology seeks to understand the intricate relationships between risk factors and health outcomes across different stages of life to inform prevention and intervention strategies to optimize health throughout the lifespan. However, extant evidence has predominantly been based on separate analyses of data from individual birth cohorts or panel studies, which may not be sufficient to unravel the complex interplay of risk and health across different contexts. We highlight the importance of a multi-study perspective that enables researchers to: (a) Compare and contrast findings from different contexts and populations, which can help identify generalizable patterns and context-specific factors; (b) Examine the robustness of associations and the potential for effect modification by factors such as age, sex, and socioeconomic status; and (c) Improve statistical power and precision by pooling data from multiple studies, thereby allowing for the investigation of rare exposures and outcomes. This integrative framework combines the advantages of multi-study data with a life course perspective to guide research in understanding life course risk and resilience on adult health outcomes by: (a) Encouraging the use of harmonized measures across studies to facilitate comparisons and synthesis of findings; (b) Promoting the adoption of advanced analytical techniques that can accommodate the complexities of multi-study, longitudinal data; and (c) Fostering collaboration between researchers, data repositories, and funding agencies to support the integration of longitudinal data from diverse sources. An integrative approach can help inform the development of individualized risk scores and personalized interventions to promote health and well-being at various life stages.
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spelling doaj.art-effe0edd1d704946b0be37b680fa378c2023-07-23T11:27:01ZengSpringerDiscover Social Science and Health2731-04692023-07-013112010.1007/s44155-023-00044-2An integrative approach for the analysis of risk and health across the life course: challenges, innovations, and opportunities for life course researchSascha Zuber0Laura Bechtiger1Julien Stéphane Bodelet2Marta Golin3Jens Heumann4Jung Hyun Kim5Matthias Klee6Jure Mur7Jennie Noll8Stacey Voll9Patrick O’Keefe10Annekatrin Steinhoff11Ulf Zölitz12Graciela Muniz-Terrera13Lilly Shanahan14Michael J. Shanahan15Scott M. Hofer16Institute On Aging & Lifelong Health, University of VictoriaJacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of ZürichJacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of ZürichJacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of ZürichJacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of ZürichUniversity of LuxembourgUniversity of LuxembourgUniversity of EdinburghPennsylvania State UniversityInstitute On Aging & Lifelong Health, University of VictoriaDepartment of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science UniversityJacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of ZürichJacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of ZürichOhio UniversityJacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of ZürichJacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of ZürichInstitute On Aging & Lifelong Health, University of VictoriaAbstract Life course epidemiology seeks to understand the intricate relationships between risk factors and health outcomes across different stages of life to inform prevention and intervention strategies to optimize health throughout the lifespan. However, extant evidence has predominantly been based on separate analyses of data from individual birth cohorts or panel studies, which may not be sufficient to unravel the complex interplay of risk and health across different contexts. We highlight the importance of a multi-study perspective that enables researchers to: (a) Compare and contrast findings from different contexts and populations, which can help identify generalizable patterns and context-specific factors; (b) Examine the robustness of associations and the potential for effect modification by factors such as age, sex, and socioeconomic status; and (c) Improve statistical power and precision by pooling data from multiple studies, thereby allowing for the investigation of rare exposures and outcomes. This integrative framework combines the advantages of multi-study data with a life course perspective to guide research in understanding life course risk and resilience on adult health outcomes by: (a) Encouraging the use of harmonized measures across studies to facilitate comparisons and synthesis of findings; (b) Promoting the adoption of advanced analytical techniques that can accommodate the complexities of multi-study, longitudinal data; and (c) Fostering collaboration between researchers, data repositories, and funding agencies to support the integration of longitudinal data from diverse sources. An integrative approach can help inform the development of individualized risk scores and personalized interventions to promote health and well-being at various life stages.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44155-023-00044-2Risk factorsHealthLife courseEpidemiologyIntegrative data analysisData harmonization
spellingShingle Sascha Zuber
Laura Bechtiger
Julien Stéphane Bodelet
Marta Golin
Jens Heumann
Jung Hyun Kim
Matthias Klee
Jure Mur
Jennie Noll
Stacey Voll
Patrick O’Keefe
Annekatrin Steinhoff
Ulf Zölitz
Graciela Muniz-Terrera
Lilly Shanahan
Michael J. Shanahan
Scott M. Hofer
An integrative approach for the analysis of risk and health across the life course: challenges, innovations, and opportunities for life course research
Discover Social Science and Health
Risk factors
Health
Life course
Epidemiology
Integrative data analysis
Data harmonization
title An integrative approach for the analysis of risk and health across the life course: challenges, innovations, and opportunities for life course research
title_full An integrative approach for the analysis of risk and health across the life course: challenges, innovations, and opportunities for life course research
title_fullStr An integrative approach for the analysis of risk and health across the life course: challenges, innovations, and opportunities for life course research
title_full_unstemmed An integrative approach for the analysis of risk and health across the life course: challenges, innovations, and opportunities for life course research
title_short An integrative approach for the analysis of risk and health across the life course: challenges, innovations, and opportunities for life course research
title_sort integrative approach for the analysis of risk and health across the life course challenges innovations and opportunities for life course research
topic Risk factors
Health
Life course
Epidemiology
Integrative data analysis
Data harmonization
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44155-023-00044-2
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