About the LifeCourse Health Prevention Initiative

The Science-Policy Interface for Lifelong Health

Our Mission

Our mission is to serve as a dynamic interface between science and policy, ensuring that health strategies and interventions are grounded in robust evidence and are responsive to the needs of populations across the life course. By bringing together expertise from healthcare, public health, epidemiology, behavioral science, economics, and more, the Initiative promotes integrated approaches to disease prevention and health promotion.

Our Approach
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The Initiative recognizes that health outcomes are shaped by social, environmental, and economic factors across the life course. Through research, policy dialogue, and cross-sector collaboration, it supports the development of strategies that translate evidence into practice, strengthen health systems, and improve health outcomes while reducing disparities across populations.

Our Focus Areas

The LifeCourse Health Prevention Initiative employs a variety of tools and forums to achieve our overarching goal of reshaping the future of health policy for individuals, families, and communities worldwide, including:

Annual Summit

Now in its 11th year, this global forum, attracting a diverse and cross-disciplinary audience, serves as the cornerstone of our initiative. It showcases cutting-edge research and provides a platform for meaningful discussions on how to translate scientific advancements into actionable policy.

Policy Briefs and Reports

Regular publications will distil complex research findings into accessible information and actionable recommendations for health policymakers and public health professionals.

Workshops and Seminars

These events will provide stakeholders with the skills and knowledge necessary to implement effective prevention strategies within their communities and organisations.

The Case for Action

The challenges we face

We face significant challenges in an era marked by an increasingly ageing population and the growing need to provide comprehensive healthcare across the life course. Translating complex scientific research into practical, evidence-based health policies is more critical than ever. At the same time, health strategies must effectively address the multifaceted social, environmental, and economic determinants that shape health outcomes throughout every stage of life.

A framework for action

We foster interdisciplinary collaboration to translate scientific evidence into effective health policies that promote prevention and wellness throughout the lifespan. Our focus is on developing tailored strategies that address the unique needs of individuals at each life stage, while also accounting for broader social, environmental, and economic determinants of health.

Our Focus for Impact

We create long-lasting evidence-backed solutions that improve health outcomes and reduce disparities across ages and populations. By empowering communities and policymakers, the lifecourse health prevention initiative aims to drive meaningful change in health promotion and disease prevention at every stage of life.

Representatives of Participating Organizations

The representatives of our supporting associations, along with our team of policy experts, play a crucial role in shaping global health policies through research-driven strategies. Their expertise ensures that prevention-focused initiatives are grounded in science, effectively translating research into actionable policies that improve health outcomes worldwide.

Del Riccio, Marco

Medical Doctor, Specialised in Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health at the University of Florence, Italy.

Finnegan, Gary

Gary Finnegan is Editor of Vaccines Today and a trustee of the Coalition for Life-Course Immunisation. Ireland

Hiag, Prosper

Director of Health, Barnardo's

Hodin, Michael

CEO, Global Coalition on Aging

Kriek, Lies

Chair, Associate ReSViNET Foundation, Chair RSV Patient Network, Patient Advisory Board

Lomazzi, Marta

Executive Manager, World Federation Public Health Association (WFPHA)

Maggi, Stefania

Board Member, European Interdisciplinary Council on Ageing (ESCEO)

Mohan, Kitty

Vice President, Comite Permanent des Medecins Europeens (CPME)

Oomen, Ber

Executive Director, European Specialist Nurses Organisation (ESNO)

Reali, Laura

President, European Confederation of Primary Care Pediatricians

Sneddon, Gregor

Secretary General, International Federation on Ageing (IFA)

Veronese, Nikola

Associate Professor in Geriatrics and Internal Medicine, Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences (IT)

Votta, Mariano

Director of Active Citizenship Network (ACN), the international branch of the Italian NGO Cittadinanzattiva

Weinke, Thomas

Medical director and chief physician for gastroenterology and infectious diseases, Ernst von Bergmann Clinic in Potsdam (Germany)

Working Group and Summit Participants

Our work is made possible through the invaluable contributions of our partner organizations, associations, supporters, and the global experts engaged in the Summit, as well as our Working and Expert Groups—each of which plays a critical role in shaping the initiative’s direction, focus, and outputs.