The aim of this themed issue is to promote research and scholarship related to the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease with a particular focus on Oceania. It offers an opportunity to concentrate on research and practices that deepen the understanding of life-course science within the diverse contexts found across Oceania. This includes research and practices that highlight the interconnectedness of people, place, and process, as well as region-specific studies that may offer valuable insights to the global community.

This Special Issue stems from a collaboration between Te Marae Ora, Cook Islands Ministry of Health and the DOHaD ANZPac Society. Te Marae Ora invests in practices that prioritise the importance of pre-conception through childhood and into adolescence to promote health in current and future generations. DOHaD ANZPac brings together researchers, academics, and health professionals from Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific to study the impacts of environmental exposures in early life (including before conception) on health and wellbeing throughout the life course. Areas of interest include nutrition, stress, exercise, and exposure to toxins from pre-conception through childhood, adolescence and into parenthood. Impacts explored range from growth and development in pregnancy and early life through to health trajectories throughout the life course and into future generations.

Guest Editors:
Jacquie Bay, University of Auckland;
Alexandra George, Baker Institute;
Kiki Maoate, Pacific Medical Association
John Bertram, Monash University;

Call dates: August 2025 – November 2025
Submission period: October 2025 - March 2026

Contact Us
j.bay@auckland.ac.nz
info@corp-comm.com.au
www.dohad.org.au