Framework to implement a life course approach in practice: Summary

Overview

Health systems face increasing demands to address the complex and interrelated determinants of health across all stages of life, particularly in the context of demographic change, inequities and evolving population needs. This summary presents a concise overview of a framework designed to operationalize a life course approach in health policy and practice, with the aim of optimizing health trajectories, strengthening capacities and enabling well-being from early life through older age. It outlines the rationale and conceptual foundations of the life course approach, highlighting the role of critical periods, cumulative exposures and intergenerational influences in shaping health outcomes. Structured around five core sections, it synthesizes key principles for designing person-centred, equity-oriented and integrated interventions, and summarizes implementation experiences across countries and programmes. The document also identifies priority actions to reorient health systems towards primary health care and universal health coverage, including multisectoral collaboration, improved data and evidence, and the development of life stage-responsive service packages. It emphasizes sustained investments across life stages and provides a practical reference to support countries in aligning policies, programmes and resource allocation to improve health and well-being over time.