Network
Translating research into action.
Funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) of the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA), the Life Course Translational Research Network (LCT-RN) is a nationwide network of change makers, thought leaders and innovators dedicated to translating research into action. The LCT-RN works to optimize life course health trajectories for children and families by integrating—rather than merely aggregating— the knowledge, skills, tools, and expertise practitioners, patients, family members, community residents, researchers, and other stakeholders and participants can provide.
The Network’s 7 research nodes and 3 research cores are comprised of 125+ researchers from 40+ institutions from across the nation. These nodes partner with communities to co-design, test, implement, spread, and scale effective interventions that can improve life course health trajectories of children and families.
The LCT-RN builds on the conceptual work of the Life Course Research Network (LCRN), funded by MCHB and led by UCLA from 2010-2019 and the Life Course Intervention Research Network, funded by MCHB and led by UCLA from 2018-2023. Using our understanding of the mechanisms of life course health development, the LCT-RN aims to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and population health impact by applying new knowledge from life course research to long-standing public health problems through new types of partnership with families, communities, and other stakeholders.
Objectives
Guiding Principles
Life Course Health Development
The ability of individuals to reach their full potential is influenced by resilience and risk factors throughout life, with certain periods of development being more sensitive or influential than others (plasticity and timing)
Ecological Framework
Children are born, live, learn and grow in an ecosystem including family, social and community contexts which all impact the individual’s life course trajectory and health outcomes
Systems Perspective
Programs, services, and other protective factors should be integrated both within and outside the healthcare system to create a seamless health-optimizing ecosystem
Equity & Justice
The ability to thrive is greatly impacted by systemic factors including racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, immigrant rights, among others; thus, the promotion of equity and justice must be central to this work in order to help all individuals thrive
Stakeholder Engagement/ Codesign
Patients, families, community members, and local organizations should be actively involved in designing, implementing, evaluating, and disseminating results of interventions that affect them
Our Values
- Comprehensive participatory co-design of research with communities
- Research that has practical applications and considers the challenges of implementation and scalability
- Continuous learning and innovation
- Bringing a social justice and equity lens to all aspects of research
- A sense of urgency to solve pressing problems that are creating barriers to health and well-being
- A willingness to disrupt and transform existing systems in order to optimize outcomes for everyone
Network Leadership
The LCIRN is supported by a wide range of researchers, faculty, staff members, advocates, policymakers, and community members.
Learn more about the LCIRN leadership and the National Coordinating Center at UCLA.
Acknowledgement
This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under award U9DMC49250, the Life Course Translational Research Network. The information, content, and/or conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS, or the US Government.