Long-term effects of early-life disaster exposure on mental health during the whole life cycle / 中华疾病控制杂志

ABSTRACT

Early nutritional status, lifestyle and life experiences are critical to the health and development of one’s whole life. Previous studies on the effect of earthquake, flood, ice storm and hurricane, famine on population health were reviewed and sorted out from a perspective of life cycle. It turned out that catastrophic events exposure during the fetus period could have some adverse effects on the growth and development of fetuses, newborns and children, and also on mental health during the life cycle from newborns to adults. Based on the research results at home and abroad, future research on the long-term impacts of early-life adverse events on mental health could be further explored from such aspects as expanding research objects, improving research methods, and extending research content.