The first 2000 days of life

The first 2000 days of life is a critical time for physical, cognitive, social and emotional health. What happens in the first 2000 days has been shown to have an impact throughout life.​​

For example, early life experiences are:

• strongly predictive of how a child will learn in primary school
• a predictor of school performance, adolescent pregnancy and involvement with the criminal justice system in the adolescent years
• linked to increased risk of drug and alcohol misuse and increased risk of antisocial and violent behaviour
• related to obesity, elevated blood pressure and depression in 20-40 year olds
• predictive of coronary heart disease and diabetes in 40-60 year olds
• related to premature ageing and memory loss in older age groups.

First 2​000 Days Framework

First 2000 Days Framework

The First 2000 Days Framework is a strategic policy document which outlines the importance of the first 2000 days of a child’s life (from conception to age 5) and what action people within the NSW health system need to take to ensure that all children have the best possible start in life.

The framework incorporates a range of policies, programs, services and models of care to make sure that the right health services are available for everyone.​​

NSW Health First 2000 Days Implementation Strategy

First 2000 Days Implementation Strategy

The First 2000 Days Framework Implementation Strategy is a strategic document which will guide NSW Health’s implementation of the First 2000 Days Framework (PD2019_008).

The implementation strategy will assist local health districts and speciality health networks in implementing the First 2000 Days Framework, including providing information to assist them in developing their local plans.

Evidence review the First 2000 Days of life

The evidence review highlights the importance of the first 2000 days of life for lifetime physical, social and emotional health outcomes and what parents and professionals can do to support a child’s development.