Early Childhood Development

While all determinants of health are important, the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health has made early child development a key focus of our work. Children are the youngest and most vulnerable members of our society and the conditions they grow up in can shape their health for life.

The NCCDH focuses on early child development in three broad areas:
• Early Child Development as a Determinant of Health
• Public Health Early Child Home Visiting
• School Readiness
The NCCDH will continue to focus on the early years (0-8 years, including prenatal) and will explore public health interventions that are supported by evidence, and have been shown to positively enhance prenatal and early child development.

Canada's Chief Public Health officer has noted that research now shows that many challenges for adults (e.g. mental health issues, obesity, heart disease, criminality, low literacy) have roots in early childhood. Providing children with environments that are stimulating, supportive and include positive parental involvement – particularly during the first six years of life – can influence lifelong health.

The World Health Organization's Commission on the Social Determinants of Health considered early childhood development to be central to their work. "Early child development (ECD) – including the physical, social/emotional, and language/cognitive domains – has a determining influence on subsequent life chances and health through skills development, education, and occupational opportunities" – World Health Organization.