The HNP Lifecycle – what is it and how can it be used in program design?

This slide describes what the lifecycle is – the main stages. The lifecycle is often divided into infancy (the
first year of life) with a neonatal period up to 28 days, followed by the rest of the childhood years, the
school age period of life, early adolescence, adulthood and aging. The reproductive period covers
adolescence and adulthood. Each of these periods carry its own risks. At each stage, poor are at increased
risk of diseases, disability and death compared to rich.
Why a life “cycle” and not just a lifespan? The lifecycle comes full circle when the reproductive period of
a women results in pregnancy and child birth. The concept of a lifecycle emphasizes the intergenerational
effects – that the health and nutrition outcomes at one stage of life determines to some extent the outcomes
of a later stage of life – and into the next generation. Several examples will be given in upcoming slides.
For example, the education, health and nutritional status of a woman – before and during pregnancy -- are
key determinants for the health and nutritional outcomes of her infant – including the survival of the
newborn.
The lifecycle is not a new concept; only the increased applications of it in the context of improving HNP
outcomes of the poor.