One Health Newsletter one health Section Of The American Public Health Association

A New Perspective on an Old Vaccine – International Collaboration to Control Bovine Tuberculosis in Northwestern Mexico

By Heather Martinez, APHA One Health Section Chair-Elect

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is an important, neglected zoonotic disease caused by Mycobacterium bovis, a pathogen related to the bacterium causing human tuberculosis. It is a danger to cows across the globe and the people depending on them. Because it can cause disease in people and is difficult to diagnose, it hides among the millions of human tuberculosis cases worldwide and poses an insidious threat to cattle even in countries where it is well-controlled (1,2). Despite the successes of animal-centric disease control programs for M. bovis, like the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Program that has decreased M. bovis prevalence in U.S. cattle herds to less than 0.001% (3), this pathogen remains a worldwide zoonosis risk. This is a true One Health problem and requires novel, transdisciplinary strategies and international collaboration for continued progress toward disease control (1).

One such approach is happening through a partnership between the United States and Mexico. The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the National Agro-Food Health, Safety and Quality Service of Mexico (SENASICA) are collaborating to explore the effectiveness of the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine to prevent M. bovis infections in dairy herds in northwestern Mexico. Compared to the rest of Mexico, this region is highly prevalent in both human and bTB (4,5). Because of the high numbers of infected cows, close contact with cattle or consuming unpasteurized milk or milk products, like the region’s traditional fresh cheeses, increases the likelihood of zoonotic transmission of M. bovis from cattle to humans (4). It is likely that this may be contributing to the region’s heavy human tuberculosis burden (4,5). The BCG vaccine is widely used across the world to prevent severe tuberculosis complications in humans (6), and research shows it has some preventive effects in cattle (7). Thus, the objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness of the BCG vaccine to decrease transmission of M. bovis in local dairy cattle to ultimately reduce the risk of cow-to-human transmission.

Currently in its third year, this five-year, double-blinded, prospective study involves BCG vaccination of calves at commercial dairies that serve as study sites. Enrolled calves receive a BCG vaccine or placebo and are followed through the dairy production cycle, undergoing no additional management changes. When an animal is sent to slaughter, a decision based solely on management factors, tissue samples are collected by local veterinarians. These are sent to the national veterinary diagnostic laboratories in both countries to determine each cow’s M. bovis infection status and how disease characteristics differ between vaccinated and placebo-treated groups.

While other projects exist to combat bTB, this research is unique because 1) it looks to measure BCG vaccine effectiveness in field conditions on a large scale, 2) the success of the vaccine can be evaluated in the environment of the local dairy industry, establishing frameworks for future interventions, 3) it is occurring through an international, intergovernmental partnership, including multiple agencies and local government, veterinary, and dairy networks, and 4) there are additional opportunities in this project to study novel diagnostic modalities that are needed to expand the use of BCG vaccination in cattle. This work is a fantastic example of the novel strategies and international collaboration needed to ensure long-term success of One Health work.

References

1. World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, The International Union Against TB and Lung Disease. Roadmap for zoonotic tuberculosis. 2017. Accessed March 4, 2024. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241513043
2. Lombard JE, Patton EA, Gibbons-Burgener SN, et al. Human-to-cattle Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex transmission in the United States. Front Vet Sci. 2021;8:691192.
3. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). National Tuberculosis Eradication Program. 2023. Accessed March 4, 2024. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/cattle-disease-information/national-tuberculosis-eradication-program/national-tuberculosis-eradication-program.
4. Gobierno de México. Tuberculosis: Información General de Micobacteriosis. 2016. Accessed March 5, 2024. https://www.gob.mx/salud/acciones-y-programas/tuberculosis
5. Ortiz AP, Perea C, Davalos E, et al. Whole genome sequencing links Mycobacterium bovis from cattle, cheese and humans in Baja California, Mexico. Front Vet Sci. 2021;8:674307.
6. World Health Organization. BCG vaccine. 2024. Accessed March 4, 2024. https://www.who.int/teams/health-product-policy-and-standards/standards-and-specifications/vaccines-quality/bcg
7. Srinivasan S, Conlan AJK, Easterling LA, et al. A meta-analysis of the effect of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccination against bovine tuberculosis: Is perfect the enemy of good? [published correction appears in Front Vet Sci. 2021;8:716565]. Front Vet Sci. 2021;8:637580.

Challenges and Opportunities to Addressing Non-Communicable Diseases After Climate-Related Disasters in Mozambique

By Erika Carla Siba Siba Canda, APHA One Health Supporter

This study was presented at APHA 2023, as a collaboration by Erika Canda, Tatiana Marrufo, Vánio A Mugabe, Saria Hassan, Alastair Ager, Guilherme S Ribeiro, Uriel Kitron, Osvaldo Inlamea, Elidio Muamine, and Eduardo S Gudo

The coastal country of Mozambique is a perfect example of how low-income countries in the Global South are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change (1-3). It is a country of approximately 32 million people, 64% of whom live in rural areas and rely on subsistence farming. More than half of its population (63%) live below the international poverty line of US$1.9 per day (1). Several interventions have been implemented in recent years to meet the needs of persons living with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) since 2019. Mobile clinics stocked with medications and operated by healthcare providers in the community have been introduced. Community health care workers have also begun mapping where people living with chronic disease reside. Despite increased attention to NCDs in disaster settings after the catastrophic damage caused by Cyclone Idai in 2019, community members and key stakeholders involved in disaster response in Mozambique stress that there is still a long way to go to adequately address the needs of this vulnerable group.

Emergency response in Mozambique has primarily focused on addressing infectious disease outbreaks (5). While infectious disease outbreaks like cholera require dire prevention and mitigation in extreme weather events, it is also important to remember that Mozambique (like many low- and middle-income countries around the world) is undergoing an epidemiologic change, and NCDs are leading causes of mortality and days lost to disability (4). Cardiovascular disease alone is the second leading cause of death in Mozambique, behind only HIV/AIDS (1).

These NCDs are often overlooked and underserved in the face of widespread natural disasters and destruction. There is a need to understand how people living with NCDs are affected by the disruptions in healthcare systems during extreme weather events (6). To assess this gap, researchers at the Emory Schools of Medicine and Public Health, in partnership with the Mozambique National Institute of Health (INS), conducted a comprehensive qualitative study to understand the challenges facing people living with NCDs in disaster settings in Mozambique. This qualitative study used a combination of five focus group discussions and 36 in-depth interviews in the most affected districts (i.e., Buzi, Beira, Nhamatanda, Nacala, Tete and Chiuta).

After analyzing the survey results, the Emory Collaboration group made the following general recommendations for community leaders: make space in disaster accommodation centers for NCD management, have a dedicated medication stockpile to fill necessary prescriptions, and increase psychosocial support for communities and first responders. Increasing or improving NCD disease surveillance and implementing a digital medical information system would also improve long-term mitigation efforts in the country. As severe climate-related extreme weather events increase throughout Mozambique, the national government and its partners should discuss future steps to shift to a more robust and sustainable response plan that meets the needs of people living with NCDs. The INS and Emory Collaboration group will continue to help support these efforts through their recent NIHR award: ''Achieving Health Service Delivery Resilience During Climate-Induced Disasters among the Most Vulnerable Communities in Mozambique" (Photo 1).

References

1. Zacarias DA. Understanding community vulnerability to climate change and variability at a coastal municipality in southern Mozambique. International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management. 2018;11(1):154-176.
2. Mugabe VA, Gudo ES, Inlamea OF, Kitron U, Ribeiro GS. Natural disasters, population displacement and health emergencies: multiple public health threats in Mozambique. BMJ Glob Health. 2021;6(9):e006778.
3. Muleia R, Maure G, José A, et al. Assessing the vulnerability and adaptation needs of Mozambique’s health sector to climate change: a comprehensive study. Public Health and Healthcare. 2023.
4. do Rosário Chilaúle Langa JM, Bruna N, et al. Extreme climatic events and climate change policies: a call for climate justice action in Mozambique. In: Crawford NJW, Michael K, Mikulewicz M, ed. Climate justice in the majority world. Routledge; 2023.
5. Lequechane JD, Mahumane A, Chale F, et al. Mozambique’s response to cyclone Idai: how collaboration and surveillance with water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions were used to control a cholera epidemic. Infect Dis Poverty. 2020;9(1):68.
6. Loffreda G, Chikovani I, Mocumbi AO, et al. Informing adaptation strategy through mapping the dynamics linking climate change, health, and other human systems: case studies from Georgia, Lebanon, Mozambique and Costa Rica. PLOS Clim. 2023;2(4):e0000184.

Case Study Suggests Link Between Stock Horse Behavior and Riders’ Personality Traits

By Hannah Curcio, Katrina Oselinksy, Ashleigh Zaker, and Lorann Stallones, APHA One Health Supporters

In recent decades, the importance and interest in the human-horse relationship and equine-assisted interactions remain in therapy settings, in sports, and in stock riding. However, the focus of the extant research literature centers predominately on the human dimension of these interactions (1). The equine response to human interactions is crucial both from an animal welfare perspective and rider safety. The horses’ behaviors may influence punishment techniques, or result in being sold, rehomed, or euthanized (2,3).

Equitation, the art and practice of horsemanship and horse-riding, is founded on promoting an evidence-based approach to emphasize best-practices and promote ethical and effective training systems (4). The Equine Behaviour Assessment and Research Questionnaire (E-BARQ) was developed in Australia to identify how training and management impact horse behavior over time to improve rider safety and horse welfare, thus leading to ethical equitation (3). This tool provides an opportunity to begin to explore the relationship between horse behaviors and human personality characteristics.

This study focused on horses used by Poudre Wilderness Volunteers (PWV) stock riders, a non-profit corporation that works with the Canyon Lakes Forest Service in Colorado to patrol 58 trails (Figure 1). With the responsibility of 260 miles of wilderness trails, the understanding between the horses and their riders and responsiveness to training aids could make the difference in the safety and efficacy of these volunteers. In August 2021, five PWV stock riders completed two online surveys focused on the human side of the relationship. They included the Big Five Inventory-10 (BFI-10) and the Brief Emotional Intelligence Scale (BEIS-10), two psychological assessment measures. Upon completion of the first survey, participants completed a second survey, as part of the 215-question EBARQ, with a subset of 10 questions specific to equine behavior and dichotomized responses to indicate the presence or absence of behavioral problems.

To determine whether human traits were related to equine behavioral problems, a series of point-biserial correlations was evaluated. All emotional intelligence domains were negatively correlated with the presence of equine behavioral problems, such that as each emotional intelligence trait increased, the presence of equine behavioral problems decreased. One’s ability to regulate others’ emotions was the most correlated with behavioral problems. Two domains from the Big Five Personality Traits (Figure 2) showed strong correlations: agreeableness and openness were both negatively correlated with the presence of equine behavioral problems, indicating that as human’s agreeableness and openness increased, the presence of equine behavioral problems decreased. As conscientiousness showed a similar, but more moderate, relationship, extroversion had the weakest correlation with equine behavioral problems.

Understanding the nature of the interactions between horses and riders can provide a safer riding experience and improve the welfare of the horses. Where horses are being ridden in remote areas, improving the human-horse interactions may be critical in reducing the likelihood of adverse experiences resulting in horse or human injuries. Human personality characteristics, as suggested by these results, may be linked to horse behaviors which perhaps reflect training and handling practices of the horse owners. As this was a cross-sectional survey, an alternative explanation for the findings may be that horse behaviors reflect the selection and training of the horses by the owners based on the personality traits of the owners themselves. Further research should explore additional human personality traits and other equine behavioral outcomes as well as training and management practices that can provide ethical equitation and rider safety.

References

1. Fine AH, Andersen SJ. A commentary on the contemporary issues confronting animal assisted and equine assisted interactions. J Equine Vet Sci. 2021;100:103436.
2. Fenner K, Dashper K, Serpell J, et al. The development of a novel questionnaire approach to the investigation of horse training, management, and behaviour. Anim Open Access J MDPI. 2020;10(11):1960.
3. Thomson PC, Hayek AR, Jones B, Evans DL, McGreevy PD. Number, causes and destinations of horses leaving the Australian thoroughbred and standardbred racing industries. Aust Vet J. 2014;92(8):303-311.
4. Starling M, McLean A, McGreevy P. The contribution of equitation science to minimising horse-related risks to humans. Anim Open Access J MDPI. 2016;6(3):15.
5. Harvard Graduate School of Education EASEL Lab. Big Five Personality Traits. n.d. Accessed March 4, 2024. http://exploresel.gse.harvard.edu/frameworks/7

One Health Spotlight Featuring Andrea Perkins, PhD, MPH

APHA One Health Section Communications Committee Chair

Co-Director, Public and One Health Program, Auburn University

Clinical Lecturer of Infection Control and Biosecurity, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University

1. How did you first become interested in One Health as a concept?

I think that I was always interested in One Health, although it just took me a while to learn that the concept had a name. As an undergraduate student, I studied animal science and worked in a few veterinary hospitals. After I graduated, I started my MPH studies and worked in an infection control department of a local human hospital. I was unaware at the time, but these experiences would lay the groundwork for my future career in public health and One Health. I found myself asking a lot of questions about infection prevention and control at the human-animal-environment interface. To explore the idea more, I pursued a PhD in Veterinary Science, where I spent five years translating infection control knowledge and experience between human and veterinary hospital settings.

2. How does One Health apply to your current role?

After completing my MPH and PhD, I became a faculty member at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine where my primary responsibilities were infection prevention and control. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it became clear that there was a need for trained public health workers locally and nationally. Thus, I began working with my colleague, Dr. Kelley Steury, to create a public health undergraduate degree program in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University (which was already home to a long-standing public health minor). The pandemic also highlighted the importance of cross-sector communication and collaboration. Thus, we endeavored to create an undergraduate public health program that would train future public health professionals to consider aspects of human, animal, and environmental health across the entire curriculum. The Bachelor of Science in Public and One Health (PAOH) undergraduate degree program was approved by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education in summer 2023 and is now enrolling students.

The concept of One Health is woven into the fabric of the program, where students must take an infectious disease course jointly developed by veterinary and human public health professionals. Topics related to human, animal, and zoonotic infectious diseases are covered in tandem, and the concept of cross-discipline collaboration and communication is role-modeled to students through a team-teaching approach. The program is proud to include courses from eight different colleges across the university and was designed to meet the domains set by the Council on Education for Public Health, the national accrediting body for schools and programs in public health. Our mission is to train the next generation of public health professionals to think about the interconnectedness of humans, animals, plants, and the environment in their future efforts to promote health and prevent illness in diverse populations.

3. What is the biggest challenge, in your experience, in implementing a One Health approach?

For me, implementing a One Health approach feels very natural. Whether I reach out across disciplines for teaching, research, or outreach collaborations, I tend to find that after some conversation, others are typically eager to share their knowledge and expertise.

4. What is your favorite documentary, movie, book, or podcast that discusses or applies to One Health?

Although I do not have a favorite selection, I enjoy exposing myself to different media and try to make connections. Some books that have been impactful to me include Spillover: Animal Infections and the Next Human Pandemic by David Quammen and The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures by Anne Fadiman. As far as podcasts, I regularly listen to the Johns Hopkins Public Health on Call. I also recently watched a documentary called The Harvest, which provides a glimpse into the life of child migrant farm workers. Coincidentally, the APHA One Health Section has a book club that is currently reading a book on the same topic called, Fresh Fruit, Broken Bodies: Migrant Farmworkers in the United States by anthropologist-physician Seth Holmes.

5. How would you explain One Health to someone not in the public health sphere in 3 sentences or less?

One Health is an action-oriented approach to solving health challenges at all levels by developing and implementing collaborative interventions with consideration of the interconnectedness of human, animal, plant, and environmental health.

6. Do you have any words of advice for readers wanting to become more active in One Health?

Talk to people outside of your discipline. Share ideas and build projects together. Regardless of what sector you work in, I believe increasing diversity and inclusivity creates a more robust team and expands the reach of the outcomes of a team’s work.

The One Health Section appreciates your time and service, Andrea! Thank you!

Space-Based Earth Observations to Understand Heat and Vector-borne Disease Risks

By Shay Nair Sharma, APHA One Health Supporter

According to NASA analyses, July 2023 was the hottest month on record (since 1880), noted as 0.43°F warmer than any other July and 2.1°F warmer than the average July between 1951 and 1980 (1). This environmental disturbance can contribute to increased community health risks related to heat-related illnesses (including dehydration and heat stroke) and expanded geographic distribution of mosquito vector suitability. Satellite remote sensing can provide insights into the patterns of heat and vector-borne diseases, allowing scientists to evaluate evolving public health risks, and make informed policy and public health decisions. Two specific examples – summer heat in New York and exposure to West Nile virus transmission in South Dakota – offer an overview of One Health in practice.

In New York state, building infrastructure for residential housing may not be equipped with air conditioning to keep cool from high ambient temperatures, leaving residents vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. One New York State Department of Health research team, led by Tabassum Insaf, integrated hospital records and environmental data (including air temperature) from the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS), to determine when high temperatures started to negatively affect human health (Figure 1) (2). As study findings highlighted that the surge in hospital care utilization occurred at 95°F, researchers worked with the National Weather service and New York State Department of Health’s Environmental Public Health Tracking program (County Heat and Health Profile Reports) to modify the heat advisory threshold from 100°F to 95°F. By closely examining this environmental health risk, more precise health messages can be widely disseminated to New York residents, and ultimately reduce adverse effects from health-related illness.

Rising temperatures are also associated with accelerated mosquito development and increased transmission of pathogens. In South Dakota, exposure to West Nile virus (WNV) can be reduced by avoiding high mosquito activity areas, wearing protective clothing, and using bug repellent. One University of Oklahoma research team, led by Michael Wimberly, integrated South Dakota Department of Health surveillance data of human disease cases and entomological surveillance of mosquito infection rates with NLDAS data on environmental risk factors to develop the Arbovirus Mapping and Prediction (ArboMAP). Outputs include detailed WNV risk maps (Figure 2) (3) and county-level seasonal risk forecasts that are updated weekly (4). Due to its proven success, ArboMAP has been adopted into the South Dakota Department of Health operational WNV surveillance activities, which have supported public health decision-making since 2016. The team has worked with academic, local, and state stakeholders in Louisiana, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Michigan to implement ArboMAP in their operational activities (5).

As climate change alters temperatures and mosquito habitats, heat and vector-borne disease risks will continue to evolve. NASA Earth-observing satellite data will become an ever more vital tool for health professionals to identify regional health disparities exacerbated by climate change. Space-based Earth observations in combination with public health initiatives will allow for targeted interventions and adaptation strategies to safeguard vulnerable populations from escalating environmental health threats. To address these pressing concerns, health advocacy will remain crucial to increase awareness, establish research partnerships, and build resilience within communities to monitor and predict them to protect public health.

References

1. Fox K, Rohloff K, Jacobs P. NASA analysis confirms 2023 as warmest year on record. 2023. Accessed February 15, 2024. https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-analysis-confirms-2023-as-warmest-year-on-record/
2. Adeyeye T, Insaf TZ, Al-Hamdan M, et al. Estimating policy relevant health effects of ambient heat exposures using spatially contiguous remote sensing reanalysis data. Environ Health. 2019;18(1):35.
3. Hess A, Davis JK, Wimberly MC. Identifying environmental risk factors and mapping the distribution of West Nile virus in an endemic region of North America. GeoHealth. 2018;2(12):395-409.
4. Wimberly MC, Davis JK, Hildreth MB, Clayton JL. Integrated forecasts based on public health surveillance and meteorological data predict West Nile virus in a high-risk region of North America. Environ Health Perspect. 2022;130(8):87006.
5. Nekorchuk AM, Bharadwaja A, Simonson S, et al. The Arbovirus Mapping and Prediction (ArboMAP) system for West Nile virus forecasting. JAMIA Open, 2024;7(1):ooad110.

APHA 2023 One Health Section - Recap!

By Anna Makaretz, APHA One Health Section Awards Chair and Program Planning Co-Chair

The 2023 APHA One Health program featured three oral sessions and three poster sessions. In total, 21 posters (including 9 student posters) were presented across the three poster sessions, and 9 speakers were featured in 11 oral presentations across the three oral sessions. The wide range of interdisciplinary topics and geographic span covered by oral and poster presentations reflected the breadth and depth of One Health. Presenters highlighted ongoing One Health research and implementation projects and programs being undertaken by federal, state, and local governments, academic institutions, nonprofits, and industry, and employed a variety of research and evaluation methods.

The One Health Leadership granted One Health Student Poster Awards to two outstanding students: Joanna Kelly, Doctoral student in the Department of Environmental Public Health at Alaska Pacific University, for her poster “Microplastic contamination in Alaska’s freshwater systems,” and Amelia Brady, Master of Public Health student at Kansas State University, for her poster “Retrospective geospatial study of chronic wasting disease in Kansas.”

STUDENT POSTERS:

Pranab Chatterjee (MPH student, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health) “Skin in the game: Drug resistance in dermatophytes.” Coauthors: Rachna Dhingra, BBA, Satinath Sarangi, MTech, Anirban Chatterjee, MBBS, MD, and Bhupendra Sharma.

PROFESSIONAL POSTERS:

“An integrated vector management program for the prevention and control of the aedes aegypti mosquito in Puerto Rico.” Julieanne Miranda-Bermúdez, DrPH, MS, and Grayson Brown, PhD. Puerto Rico Vector Control Unit. San Juan, Puerto Rico.

“Applying a One Welfare framework to equine assisted services.” Lorann Stallones, MPH, PhD, Elizabeth Gilbert, EdD, and Abigail Figan. Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO; Colorado School of Public Health, Fort Collins and Greeley, CO.

“Rabies, cause of life and livelihood loss among pastoral communities in Wajir County, Kenya.” Josephine Ihahi. CORE Group Partner Project. Nairobi, Kenya.

“Trendy drugs: Identifying antibiotic prescribing practices in D.C. long-term care facilities.” Cherra Hampton-Mitchell, MPH, CPH, a-IPC, Olivia Cox, DNP, AGPCNP-C, Mefruz Haque, MPH, CIC, Candace Johnson, MPH, CIC, and Faisal Adam, MD, MPH, CPH. District of Columbia Department of Public Health, Washington, D.C.

“Addressing pet ownership and health in vulnerable populations: A veterinary public health practicum.” Michelle Kurkowski, DVM, MPH. Blinn College, Bryan, TX.

“Knowledge, experience, and opinions regarding doctor and vet shopping among professional students.” Christina Bradley, Mary Beth Babos, Katie Kiser, and Karen Gruszynski. Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN; South College, Knoxville,TN.

“One Health task forces establishments and contribution to One Health approach implementation: Pastoral and semi-pastoralist of Ethiopia.” Muluken Alemu. CORE Group Partner Project, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“National public health strategy to prevent and control vector-borne diseases in people.” Myrna Del Mar Gonzalez-Montalvo, MPH, Susanna Visser, DrPH, MS, Holley Hooks, MPH, Keisha Hunt, MPH, PMP, Daniel Desautels, PhD, and Kristen Honey, PhD, PMP. Metas Solutions, Atlanta, GA; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO; U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Washington, DC.

"Pets as both a barrier and a bridge to accessing services for society’s most vulnerable: Creating innovative solutions." Leslie Brooks, DVM, MPH, and Christine Kim. My Dog is My Home, New York City, NY.

“Safety in numbers: Collaboration in HPAI post-exposure monitoring of humans among public health and agriculture stakeholders, Georgia, 2022.” Sayna Patel, MPH, Amanda Feldpausch, DVM, MPH, Julie Gabel, DVM, MPH, Katelin Reishus, MPH, Cherie Drenzek, DVM, MS, and Venessa Sims, MEP, GA-CEM. Georgia Department of Public Health, Atlanta, GA; Georgia Department of Agriculture, Atlanta, GA.

“Need for collaboration for eradication of bovine tuberculosis in the US.” Heather E. Martinez, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, Cara C. Drehoff, DVM, MPH, Jason E. Lombard, DVM, MS, Kimberly A. Lehman, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, and Tyler Thacker, PhD, MS. USDA-APHIS-Veterinary Services, Fort Collins, CO; USDA-APHIS-Veterinary Services- Field Operations, Fort Collins, CO; USDA-APHIS-National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, IA.

“Empowering veterinarians to be informed example leaders in a safety-first environment.” Jessie Salter, DVM, Kerry Rood, MS, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, and Michael Pate, PhD. Utah State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Logan, UT; Utah State University College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, Logan, UT.

ORAL SESSIONS:

The three One Health oral sessions at APHA 2023 focused on One Health as related to changing ecosystems, digital technologies, and health equity:

Changing Ecosystems and the Role of One Health: Focus on Data Integration, Community, Connectedness, and Ethics (moderated by Jessica Schwind, PhD, MPH, CPH,, and Helena Chapman, MD, MPH, PhD)

• “A one health approach to climate change, agriculture, and food security.” Laura H. Kahn, MD, MPH, MPP, One Health Initiative.
• “A proposal for a one health disease surveillance data integration system to connect all reporting communities.” Thomas Doker, DVM, DACVPM, MPH, U.S. Air Force.
• “Challenges and opportunities for one health approach to addressing climate change.” Muge Akpinar-Elci, University of Nevada, Reno.
• “Applying NASA satellite data for environmental health applications.” John Haynes, MS, NASA Earth Action Program, Washington, DC.

Use of AI and Digital Technologies to Address One Health Concerns (moderated by Julie Casari, MD, MPH)

• “Eating out with confidence: Using AI and text analytics to improve the quality and effectiveness of food safety inspections.” Tom Sabo, MS, Statistical Analysis System (SAS).
• “Birds of a feather need data to fly together! layering global avian influenza data and reports with AI and text analytics.” Katie Izenour, MPH, Statistical Analysis System (SAS).
• “Improving antibiotic stewardship in nursing homes with the power of text analytics.” Tom Sabo, MS, Statistical Analysis System (SAS).

Intersections of One Health and Health Equity (moderated by Anna Makaretz, ScM, MPH)

• “Perceptions of flint pets’ health and how it reflects human quality of life after the flint water crisis.” Robert Wahl, DVM, MS, Michigan State University.
• “Health equity approach to vector control.” Adalid Ballesteros, CHES, San Bernardino County Department of Public Health.
• “Health disparities, biofilm formation, and epidemiological burden of climate-sensitive foodborne and waterborne bacterial diseases.” Aliyar Cyrus Fouladkhah, PhD, MS, MPH, MACE, CFS, CPH, Tennessee State University; Public Health Microbiology Foundation.
• “Deep learning to classify adverse events from patient narratives.” Tom Sabo, MS, Statistical Analysis System (SAS).

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS FROM ONE HEALTH AT APHA 2023:

Hope to see you all this October at APHA 2024!

Join the One Health Reading Club!

By Andrea Perkins, APHA One Health Communications Chair

The One Health Section is excited to announce the new One Health Reading Club! The Communication Committee of the One Health Section has hosted two meetings thus far to discuss Zoobiquity: The Astonishing Connection Between Human and Animal Health by Barbara Natterson-Horowitz and Kathryn Bowers and Rabid: A Cultural History of the World's Most Diabolical Virus by Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy.

We are excited to be partnering with the Integrative, Complementary, and Traditional Health Practices (ICTHP) Section for our next selection, which is scheduled for April 8, 2024, where we will discuss Fresh Fruit, Broken Bodies: Migrant Farmworkers in the United States by Seth Holmes.

The One Health Book Club plans to meet on a quarterly basis, so watch for future announcements and registration information on APHA Lead.

One Health Fellowship Opportunities

By Lisa Gonzalez, APHA One Health Newsletter Editor and Section Councilor

A recurring section in our newsletter, One Health Fellowship Opportunities will feature professional development opportunities for early career professionals interested in One Health topics. Everyone has a unique career path, and below you will find a few launching points to get started. Click on the button below each description to visit the program's site for more details.

CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) - The EIS is a highly competitive, 2-year post-graduate fellowship in applied epidemiology. This CDC program, established in 1951, is a unique combination of on-the-job-learning and service. Investigating outbreaks in the field is integral to the EIS experience. As CDC’s disease detectives, EIS officers are among the agency’s first-line rapid responders. EIS officers help public health officials investigate and control infectious disease outbreaks and respond to natural disasters and other threats to the public’s health. (Applications open on May 1, 2024 and close on June 5, 2024)

Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - The APHL and CDC offer competitive fellowships available to degreed applicants interested in starting or furthering an exciting new career in laboratory science while working collaboratively with industry leaders and developing professional networks. Fellowships support public health laboratory program areas, such as: bioinformatics, biosafety and biosecurity, emergency preparedness and response, environmental health, infectious disease, informatics, food safety, newborn screening, and quality management. Each fellow will be trained in alignment with established public health laboratory core competencies and functions and will work on unique program-specific projects and other initiatives in host laboratories. (Applications accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. There is no deadline to apply.)

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science & Technology Policy Fellowship (STPF) - AAAS STPF provides opportunities to outstanding scientists and engineers to learn first-hand about policy making while contributing their knowledge and analytical skills to the federal policymaking process. Fellows serve yearlong assignments in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the federal government in Washington, DC. Each year, the program adds to a growing corps of over 3,400 strong policy-savvy leaders working across academia, government, nonprofits and industry to serve the nation and the world. (Applications open on June 1, 2024 and close on November 1, 2024)

Winston Health Policy Fellowship - This 12-month fellowship offers a postgraduate immersion experience in health policy development by working directly with policy-makers in both the public and private sectors. Current graduate students in their final year of study for a masters or doctoral degree are eligible to apply. The Winston Health Policy Fellowship is located in Washington, DC. (Applications open on June 1, 2024 and close on October 18, 2024)

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) - ORISE connects talented and diverse college students, recent graduates, postdocs, and faculty to STEM internship and fellowship programs closely aligned with the interests of a variety of research facilities, including those managed for the U.S. Department of Energy and other federal agencies. These STEM internship and fellowship programs are key to the recruitment and preparation of the next generation of the scientific workforce. (Application deadlines specific to program)

The Public Health Institute (PHI) - The Generation Next Humanitarian Fellowship Program is a PHI program, supported by the USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, and in partnership with our program host organizations. This is a two-year fellowship program open to recent Bachelor-level graduates. The fellowship aims to increase the diversity of professionals in the humanitarian sector by building a pathway for seniors and recent graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Asian American and Pacific Islander Institutions and Tribal Colleges and Universities. (Open until filled)

Resources

Resources Recommended by One Health Members

• NASA Earth Action Program - Health and Air Quality Applications
• GEO Health Community of Practice
• One Health Joint Plan of Action (‎2022‒2026)‎: Working Together for the Health of Humans, Animals, Plants and the Environment
• Fifth National Climate Assessment
• National Public Health Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Vector-Borne Diseases in People
• AMA Journal of Ethics February 2024 Issue: Health Ecology and Disease Transmission

Fellowship Announcements

• AAAS Fellowship
• AVMA Student Externship
• AVMA/AAAS Fellowship
• ASPPH/CDC Public Health Fellowship Program
• ASPPH/EPA Environmental Health Fellowship Program