One Health, while not a new topic, is increasingly gaining traction as the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health continues to emerge. Following the 2014-2015 Ebola outbreak – which may have spread from bush meat and contact with bats – and now Zika, which is primarily spread to people by mosquitoes, it may come as no surprise that about six out of every ten infectious diseases in humans are spread from animals. Additionally, rapid changes in climate and land use are environmental factors that contribute to the spread of disease among various species. These evolving interactions between humans, animals, and the environment require public health to take a multifaceted, coordinated, and collaborative approach to advance the health of those we serve.
To raise awareness of these critical issues, NACCHO is joining the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and many other organizations to celebrate the inaugural One Health Day on November 3, 2016. One Health Day is an international campaign coordinated by the One Health Commission, the One Health Initiative, and the One Health Platform Foundation. NACCHO invites members and partners to join in celebrating the day by:
- Following the CDC’s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases on Twitter at @cdc_ncezid and engaging with others on social media with the hashtag #onehealthday
- Visiting CDC’s updated website on One Health
- Signing up for One Health-related updates from CDC
- Watching and promoting CDC’s video One Health: From Concept to Action
- Reading and promoting CDC’s Fast Facts fact sheet on zoonotic diseases and ways to prevent their spread
- Becoming educated on state hand sanitation laws for animal contact exhibits
- Diving into emergency preparedness and response through the 11/17 Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) call on Advancing the One Health Concept through Collaborations that Connect, Create, and Education
Let us know how you are celebrating One Health Day by writing [email protected] and registering your event with the One Health Commission!