Advancing the Health of Populations Across the Life Course: 50 Years of Discoveries in the Division of Intramural Population Health Research.

ABSTRACT

In 2017, the Division of Intramural Population Health Research (DIPHR), within the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), reached a significant milestone 50 years in existence. DIPHR celebrated this anniversary with a scientific program that reviewed past accomplishments and reflected on future directions in support of promoting the health of populations across the life course. Extending from the scientific program, the impetus of this article is to contribute to archiving and consolidating the legacy of intramural population health research at NICHD over the past 50 years. We present a brief history of the origin and evolution of intramural population health research at NICHD. Next, we conduct an empirical assessment of the scientific impact and evolving scope of this research over the past five decades and present specific key discoveries emerging from topics spanning the life course (1) reproductive health, (2) the health of pregnant women and fetuses, (3) the health of children, and (4) associated methodologies. We also explore the Division's service to the profession in the form of mentorship of the next generation of scientists in population health research. Finally, we conclude with thoughts about future directions of population health research and reaffirm the DIPHR's commitment to promoting the health and well-being of the many populations we serve, both locally and globally.