The Emerging Health Paradigm in the 21st century: The Formative First 1000 Days of Life

Published in 2016 and added as a special issue feature in 2020

Authors

  • Jose Miguel De Angulo MAP International
  • Luz Stella Losada MAP International

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15566/cjgh.v3i2.38

Keywords:

health paradigms, paradigm shifts, neuroscience, infant development, parenting, first 1000 days, infant brains

Abstract

During the 20th Century Western society's thinking regarding health and wellbeing underwent profound and rapid changes. Towards the end of the century, a health paradigm based on social health determinants emerged, providing a strong foundation for influencing priorities in global health.  In this paper we will present evidence that supports a new paradigm. It avers that human health and development is founded on infants’ brain architecture and their capacity to transform the brains and lives of adults. Neuroscience now shows how the brain architecture of the person becomes established during the intrauterine period and the first two to three years of life. This brain architecture determines the capacity of the organism to self-regulate its biological, emotional, cognitive, and interactional processes with the environment. The more robust this brain architecture, the more potential and capability that individual has to enjoy physical, emotional, and mental health as well as his/her capacity to contribute to the health and wellbeing of others. We hold that the transformative value of infants to society is biblical. This new understanding can generate a shift towards a focus on early infancy as the best strategy to foster development of healthy and sustainable societies.

Author Biography

Jose Miguel De Angulo, MAP International

Regional Director for Latin America

MAP International

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Published

2016-11-08

How to Cite

De Angulo, J. M., & Losada, L. S. (2016). The Emerging Health Paradigm in the 21st century: The Formative First 1000 Days of Life: Published in 2016 and added as a special issue feature in 2020. Christian Journal for Global Health, 7(3), 113–128. https://doi.org/10.15566/cjgh.v3i2.38