Focusing on the Formative First Years

In the continuum of the life cycle, the formative years are emerging as the most pivotal for human health, development, and flourishing.  Fostering maternal-child health, and in particular the first 1000 days from conception, are proving to have significant, measurable effects on health of the body, mind and society.  Protecting the vulnerable from toxic environments of violence, neglect, malnutrition, disease, pollution, and lack of health services has long-term effects on bonding, growth, learning, behavior, economic development, health and longevity. We are call for papers addressing practical and faith-based approaches to support families to provide nurturing care in the earliest years of life, informing effective policies, enabling health system, and taking relevant actions in other sectors.