Integrating One Health into Professional Preparation Education for Public Health and Health Education Specialists

ABSTRACT

Background: One Health refers to the dynamic interdependence of human, animal and environmental health and provides a unique lens through which to examine health problems.

Purpose: The purposes of this manuscript were (1) to contextualize One Health in public health and health education, (2) provide examples of a One Health approach to communicable and chronic disease, and (3) explain how One Health interfaces with the NCHEC Areas of Responsibility.

Model: One Health involves combining human, animal and environmental components to address global health challenges that have an ecological interconnectedness and plays a role in promoting public health and health education. While One Health has technically been practiced by some public health, veterinary and medical professionals for many years, it is now becoming more recognized and institutionalized. Both public health and health education programs are in ideal position to integrate a One Health approach into their educational programs.

Discussion: One Health can be integrated into public health and health education professional preparation courses including practicum and capstone courses. This article both provides a background to contextualize One Health as it relates to public health and health education and presents two examples, one from a Master of Public Health (MPH) program and one from a Global Health Certificate program from Virginia and how One Health interfaces with the NCHEC Areas of Responsibility.