ABSTRACT
NCDs and their risk factors have roots early in life, with complex aetiology involving multilevel socio-environmental, biological and psychological determinants, interacting across all stages of life. It is therefore important that interventions that reduce the main modifiable risk factors for NCDs (including tobacco and alcohol use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity) start in early life and continue throughout life. The goal is to minimize the cumulative risk of NCD throughout life. Where possible, interventions should be targeted to the relevant stages and settings of life (e.g. schools, workplaces, homes for old people). This chapter describes actions to prevent and control NCDs during the pre-conception, prenatal and perinatal periods, as well as during infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood including older age. The importance of building the evidence base for action across the life course is discussed. The importance of ensuring that surveillance and monitoring take account of the life course is also highlighted.
