One Health continuing medical education: an avenue for advancing interdisciplinary communication on One Health issues

JAVMA, Vol 234, No. 11, June 1, 2009 C ago, prominent members of the medical community recognized the link between the health of humans and that of other animals. Although there was considerable collaboration between practitioners of human and veterinary medicine in the late 19th century, particularly with regard to education and research, there are limited collaborative efforts in place today. Globalization of economies, emerging infectious diseases, and bioterrorism are rapidly changing the needs of public health and medical education. Of particular concern to both the human and veterinary medical professions is the threat of zoonotic diseases from livestock, companion animals, and wildlife. The encroachment of housing developments into rural areas has brought people and domestic animals into greater contact with wildlife diseases. With a growing number of US households owning at least one pet, millions of families are placed at further risk, albeit limited in proportion to the risks of other contagious diseases. Via contamination of the food and water supplies with pathogens such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia spp, close contact with live animals is no longer required for humans to develop zoonotic diseases. Millions of consumers in the United States are at risk of developing serious health problems from improperly handled meat, poultry, and egg products. Many zoonoses are preventable through public education programs that target simple measures to reduce disease transmission, such as proper hand washing after handling pets, vaccination of dogs and cats against rabies, routine screening of pets for zoonotic parasites, and observation of leash laws. However, it can be difficult for veterinarians to provide appropriate guidance for several reasons: appointment time is often too limited to discuss all relevant issues with clients, certain pet owners may never seek veterinary care for their animals, and the public does not generally perceive veterinarians to be a source of information on human health. In a research study of parents’ and pediatricians’ knowledge of pet-associated hazards, most parents obtained information regarding animal disease from magazines, newspapers, and television, whereas only 5% (11/231) sought advice from a veterinarian. Physicians and nurses may therefore be the only sources One Health continuing medical education: an avenue for advancing interdisciplinary communication on One Health issues