The fundamental basis of DOHaD (Developmental Origins of Health and Disease) is that ?the beginning of life paves the way for future health/disease?. The US DOHaD is an established Society that encompasses this concept. Its annual meeting combines original research presentations and guest speakers whose research focuses on the evidence and mechanisms by which environmental toxicants, nutrient exposures, stress and other factors influence the developing fetus and newborn, and thereby contribute to the health and disease of the offspring. In the US, this field has gathered momentum amongst clinicians, toxicologists, epidemiologists, nutritionists, physiologists and basic scientists who are working in diverse topics ranging from developmental biology, nutrition, environmental toxicology, cancer, stress and hormones. The mandate of US DOHaD, an affiliate of the International DOHaD Society, is to bring together these multidisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary investigators in order to foster interactions and collaboration on these diverse topics. This indeed represents a unique integrated model which no other Society offers. In addition to the presentations by established scientists, the Society provides a forum for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and junior investigators with view to facilitate interaction, training and career opportunities for them. The past meetings have been tremendously successful and have provided impetus for continued meetings and have strengthened the US DOHaD Society with growing members and participants. The fifth Annual 2020 Meeting will be held at Rizzo Center, Chapel Hill. The Theme is ?Womb and Cradle: Key Developmental Windows in Effecting the Trajectory of Health and Disease? and the program includes a dedicated day on career development and grant writing for the trainees. Lastly, the Society also embraces diversity and equal representation of males and females as well as minority groups.
Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) refers to the concept that exposures during early life (fetal and newborn periods) dramatically shapes its future health, potentially promoting disease. The underlying contributory factors are environmental toxicants, nutrition, microbiome, stress, hormones, metabolites, drugs and alcohol. The US DOHaD Society?s mission is to promote studies on these broad factors of environmental exposures in order to understand their role in health and disease, and to bring together clinicians, toxicologists, epidemiologists, nutritionists, physiologists and basic scientists to develop novel preventive strategies and improve the health of Americans.
