Cover. The network of vessels in the placenta is called "the tree of life," a metaphor photographer Patti Ramos renders visible in the cover image for this issue. The rich web of interconnections evident in the photograph evokes the "life course" approach to health outlined by Stella Yu in her Editor's Choice piece (p768). The life course approach adds a longitudinal dimension to the study and conceptualization of health and illness, so that illness events are not seen in isolation from other aspects of individuals' life experiences. Consequently, the determinants of health throughout the life course can become better understood and more appropriate preventive health and treatment decisions can be made.
Cover. The network of vessels in the placenta is called "the tree of life," a metaphor photographer Patti Ramos renders visible in the cover image for this issue. The rich web of interconnections evident in the photograph evokes the "life course" approach to health outlined by Stella Yu in her Editor's Choice piece (p768). The life course approach adds a longitudinal dimension to the study and conceptualization of health and illness, so that illness events are not seen in isolation from other aspects of individuals' life experiences. Consequently, the determinants of health throughout the life course can become better understood and more appropriate preventive health and treatment decisions can be made.