An important clarification
As of September 26, 2026, there is no reliable evidence confirming that “UN News” established that combating ageing begins before birth, or that world leaders and international health officials presented a definitive study on this issue in September 2026. A more accurate statement is that the World Health Organization uses a life-course approach to study health and ageing, beginning before birth and continuing into older age [1].
How might early-life conditions affect later health?
WHO explains that health trajectories are shaped by cumulative genetic, biological, psychological, social and environmental factors. These include maternal nutrition, antenatal care, birth weight, environmental exposures, and conditions related to childhood, education, income and lifestyle later in life [1].
Some long-term studies support the developmental-origins-of-health-and-disease hypothesis. This hypothesis proposes that certain conditions during pregnancy and early childhood may influence the risk of chronic disease and health indicators that become apparent in midlife or later. In the Dunedin cohort study, some perinatal complications were associated with measures related to ageing at age 38, including telomere length and perceived facial age [2]. However, these observational findings do not prove direct causation, nor do they mean that a person’s health is determined before birth.
Other research has reported associations between adverse conditions in the womb and certain measures of biological ageing later in life [3]. These findings require further research to clarify the mechanisms, the size of any effects and which interventions can genuinely improve outcomes.
What does prevention mean in practice?
In this context, prevention does not mean stopping normal ageing. It means reducing modifiable risk factors across the life course, including:
Access to good health care before and during pregnancy.
Appropriate management of maternal nutrition, blood pressure, diabetes and other chronic conditions with clinical guidance.
Avoidance of smoking, alcohol and harmful exposures.
Safe care during childbirth and the postnatal period.
Support for breastfeeding, appropriate nutrition and healthy child development.
Promotion of physical activity, healthy sleep and mental health during childhood, adolescence and adulthood.
Prevention of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer through appropriate screening and healthy living.
WHO emphasizes that interventions should not be limited to pregnancy or childhood. Primary health care and social and environmental policies remain important at every stage of life [1].
Conclusion
There is a reasonable scientific basis for the view that health and ageing are influenced by factors beginning before birth. However, the statement that “prevention of ageing begins before birth” requires careful wording. Ageing is a natural and complex process, and no intervention has been proven to prevent it entirely. A more accurate conclusion is that prevention of some diseases and factors associated with declining health can begin early, as part of a continuous approach involving families, communities and health systems.
*This is general educational information and does not replace advice from a qualified doctor or health professional. It should be reviewed by an editor and qualified medical reviewer before publication.*