Dunedin study data to be shared with OECD
Data from the Dunedin study about how early life experiences shape people's futures will help inform international social policies.
The landmark collaboration between the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) will inform policymakers from around the world about the research and what can be done about its implications.
Dunedin Study research manager Dr Sandhya Ramrakha said the report identified eight different pathways that people took, from those who enjoyed consistently good outcomes to those who faced persistent struggles with poor health, long-term unemployment or low educational achievement.
Dr Ramrakha said intervention programmes in early life could help prevent worse outcomes.
"Early investment pays off.
"If you are able to develop strong self-regulation and cognitive development in childhood then these are linked to more stable, positive adult outcomes."
Eighteen percent of the study's members experienced a "persistent disadvantage" and social risks across adulthood which began in childhood.
They were disengaged from education, employment and the community.
The Dunedin study provided "good evidence" for the OECD to inform policy around the world.
The report concept was developed by the late Distinguished Prof Richie Poulton, who was the Dunedin study director for more than 25 years, and Dorothy Adams, an independent adviser who formerly worked at the OECD on secondment from the New Zealand Ministry of Social Development.
Prof Poulton was deeply committed to using evidence to improve social outcomes, so much so that he donated his Royal Society Te Apārangi Rutherford Medal award to support this report.
mark.john@odt.co.nz
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsroom
2 days ago
- Newsroom
Govt's AI strategy is all hype and no vision
Opinion: What have we learned about the future of artificial intelligence in New Zealand now that Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology Dr Shane Reti has released 'New Zealand's Strategy for Artificial Intelligence: Investing with confidence'? In his foreword to the recently released Strategy, Reti states: 'Until now, New Zealand was the only OECD country that had not published an AI strategy'.
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Carbon garden highlights climate crisis
This fungi-inspired pavilion as part of the new Carbon Garden at Kew, a permanent installation highlighting the role of plants and fungi in tackling climate change. Photo: Reuters London's Kew Gardens will open a new garden focused on carbon that will showcase its importance in sustaining life, but also explore the role of carbon dioxide in the climate crisis and how plants can combat it. The Carbon Garden will feature 6500 plants, 35 new trees as well as a central pavilion structure inspired by fungi and will be a permanent fixture at the botanical gardens, which were first opened in 1759 and today are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. "The garden aims to show how crucial carbon is, while warning of the damage being caused by increasing carbon dioxide emissions," said manager of garden design at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richard Wilford. The year 2024 was the hottest on record, with global carbon dioxide emissions from the energy sector hitting a record high. As well as signs explaining concepts such as photosynthesis, the process by which plants turn carbon dioxide into organic matter, the area will feature a so-called dry garden filled with hardy plants such as lavender that are able to cope in heat. The garden, which took Wilford and his team over four years to build, includes new trees selected for their resilience to future projected climate conditions and their ability to absorb carbon dioxide. Amanda Cooper, a doctoral researcher who consulted on the garden, said planting more such trees would be part of the solution to tackling climate change. "By re-establishing woodlands, by stopping our deforestation, we can hopefully make a dent in what is being emitted to the atmosphere," Cooper said. "It's not a complete dent because we're still emitting fossil fuel emissions from our cars and factories. But it's a start."
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Growing awareness of climate crisis
This fungi-inspired pavilion as part of the new Carbon Garden at Kew, a permanent installation highlighting the role of plants and fungi in tackling climate change. Photo: Reuters London's Kew Gardens will open a new garden focused on carbon that will showcase its importance in sustaining life, but also explore the role of carbon dioxide in the climate crisis and how plants can combat it. The Carbon Garden will feature 6500 plants, 35 new trees as well as a central pavilion structure inspired by fungi and will be a permanent fixture at the botanical gardens, which were first opened in 1759 and today are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. "The garden aims to show how crucial carbon is, while warning of the damage being caused by increasing carbon dioxide emissions," said manager of garden design at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richard Wilford. The year 2024 was the hottest on record, with global carbon dioxide emissions from the energy sector hitting a record high. As well as signs explaining concepts such as photosynthesis, the process by which plants turn carbon dioxide into organic matter, the area will feature a so-called dry garden filled with hardy plants such as lavender that are able to cope in heat. The garden, which took Wilford and his team over four years to build, includes new trees selected for their resilience to future projected climate conditions and their ability to absorb carbon dioxide. Amanda Cooper, a doctoral researcher who consulted on the garden, said planting more such trees would be part of the solution to tackling climate change. "By re-establishing woodlands, by stopping our deforestation, we can hopefully make a dent in what is being emitted to the atmosphere," Cooper said. "It's not a complete dent because we're still emitting fossil fuel emissions from our cars and factories. But it's a start."
