Developmental Origins of Health and Diseases
Welcome to DOHaD Canada!
On September 30, DOHaD Canada
joins people across the country in observing the
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.We remember and honour the children who never returned home from residential schools; the Survivors, their families, and their communities. We recognize the profound historical and ongoing effects of colonial practices and policies on the health and well-being of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.
As a scientific community dedicated to understanding how experiences and environments across the life course can shape health within and across generations, we recognize the historical and structural conditions that influence health. The effects of colonization, forced displacement, family separation, and disruption of culture, language, community, and Indigenous ways of life, extend across generations and remain relevant to health and health inequities today.
Truth and reconciliation require more than reflection. They call on us to listen to and learn from Indigenous Peoples, to recognize and respect Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing, and to work toward research and partnerships that are respectful, reciprocal, and responsive to the priorities of Indigenous communities.
Today, we honour Survivors and remember the children who never came home. We encourage our DOHaD Canada community to take time to listen, learn, reflect, and consider how each of us can contribute to reconciliation through our research, teaching, partnerships, and everyday actions.
Every Child Matters.
DOHaD Canada Society
DOHaD Canada Turns 10!
In 2016, researchers came together to form a DOHaD Canada group. That original group became a Chapter of the International DOHaD Society, then a regional society, and over the past decade has grown into the national society it is today.
Inaugural Meeting DOHaD Canada February 14, 2017. Fairmont Chateau Montebello, QC
Thank you for your participation in the 2027 DOHaD Canada Scientific Meeting!
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Thank you for your participation in the 2027 DOHaD Canada Scientific Meeting! *
Upcoming World Congress Meeting
The 14th World Congress on Developmental Origins of Health and Disease
Hamamatsu, Japan.
Oct 17 - 20 2027
At DOHaD Canada, we are committed to advancing the understanding of how early-life environmental factors influence health and disease throughout the lifespan.
Our work focuses on the Developmental Origins of Health and Diseases (DOHaD), emphasizing research, education, and policy initiatives that have a profound impact on local, national, and international communities.
As a regional society of the International DOHaD Society, we collaborate with a global network of researchers,
healthcare professionals, and policymakers. Together, we strive to translate cutting-edge scientific discoveries into practical solutions that promote lifelong health and well-being.
Join us in our mission to shape a healthier future for generations to come.
Strategic Priorities
DOHaD Canada is dedicated to advancing the understanding of how environmental factors during early life-from preconception to childhood-interact with development to influence lifelong health, learning, and social function. Our strategic priorities focus on three key areas:
Research
Engage in world class, dicovery-based research
Our national network comprises nationally and internationally recognized researchers from clinical practice, academia, industry, and government sectors. Many are engaged in extensive international collaborations and partnerships. We are committed to fostering cutting-edge research to understand the mechanisms underlying the developmental origins of health and disease, identify biomarkers of risk, and develop preventative interventions. By promoting excellence in research, we aim to generate new knowledge that can lead to innovative strategies for improving health outcomes.
Training and Education
Deliver high-quality, transdisciplinary training, career development and public education
Recognizing that trainees are our future, we are committed to creating an environment that fosters academic excellence and empowers emerging research leaders to drive DOHaD innovation. By representing and connecting with DOHaD Canada trainees, we offer robust professional development opportunities that equip them with the skills to excel in research, communication, and advocacy. Equally important, we emphasize educating the general population to heighten awareness and strengthen collective efforts in championing early-life health. By bringing researchers and communities together, we aim to nurture a generation of scientists and informed citizens who collaborate to translate DOHaD principles into impactful policies and practice, ensuring a healthier future for all.
Translation and Advocacy
Promote health and wellness for all Canadians
We are dedicated to promoting health and wellness for all Canadians by engaging policymakers, healthcare providers, and the public in co-designing research and knowledge mobilization strategies that foster inclusive, evidence-based decision-making. With a strong emphasis on translating bench science into clinical practice and policy, we raise the profile of DOHaD research; develop, test, and implement interventions rooted in scientific discovery; and act as a catalyst for advancing health, learning, and social function. By translating research into actionable strategies, we work towards preventing or reversing negative life-course outcomes, thereby allowing all Canadians to attain their full potential.