One Health, One Houston
11/1/2023
| Image developed by the One Health High Level Expert Panel via One Health Commission Written by: Nicole Cloutier-Lemasters Interconnectedness: the state of having different parts or things connected or related to each other (Cambridge Dictionary). The concept of interconnectedness is not new to many of us in the environmental community. In fact, many of us are acutely aware of how intertwined nature, wildlife, and the environment is with our personal lives and health, even here in the country’s fourth largest city. Though many of us may feel separated from nature by living in such a large urban city, we are still very much tied to the health of our planet – by the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat and even by the presence of or lack thereof of trees and green space in our communities. But, its more than that. As the pandemic brought into sharp focus, we are far more interconnected than we may have thought. Events and activities, large and small, sometimes seemingly unrelated and occurring half a world away can have global ramifications. Such multifaceted issues require a multifaceted solutions – frequently bridging scientists and experts in specialized but separate fields to work together to address and solve. This is the premise behind One Health. Defined by the One Health Commission, “One Health is an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems. It recognizes the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the wider environment (including ecosystems) are closely linked and inter-dependent. The approach mobilizes multiple sectors, disciplines and communities at varying levels of society to work together to foster well-being and tackle threats to health and ecosystems, while addressing the collective need for clean water, energy and air, safe and nutritious food, taking action on climate changes and contributing to sustainable development.” One Health is manifested in our local area by many organizations you are familiar with. From Harris County Public Health’s ongoing work with avian and mosquito vector control programs to the City of Houston’s Environmental Public Health Division, which “works to protect the public’s health” through its food safety, drinking water and neighborhood cleanliness programs. From pet care to the county fair, One Health is everywhere. Act Together for One Health This Friday, Nov. 3 marks One Health Day. And the theme “Act Together for One Health” couldn’t be more appropriate and more aligned with the work of CEC. Founded in 1971, CEC’s creators sought to bring the environmental community together – to better communicate, collaborate and leverage the work being done by those early crusaders who sought to help preserve and protect the Houston area’s precious resources. And that work continues today. While there are too many to list, CEC is proud to have so many member organizations whose work transcends disciplines and works to help improve and protect our environment and through that work, our own health and quality of life in the region we call home. From water to wildlife, and plants to pet care – its all interconnected! Let’s all “Act Together for One Health.” To learn more about One Health and One Health Day visit the One Health Commission: https://www.onehealthcommission.org/ For educator resources about One Health visit: https://www.onehealthcommission.org/en/resources__services/one_health_education_resources/ |
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