The Institute of Medicine is planning a study that would shape the One Health vision. The announcement was made Nov. 17 at the One Health Summit, which was put on by the One Health Commission in partnership with the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council. The summit's purpose was to raise awareness of the importance of enhanced integration of human health, animal health and ecosystem health sciences. The commission describes One Health as the collaborative effort of multiple disciplines to obtain optimal health for people, animals and the environment. The Institute of Medicine study will examine the interdependencies of human, animal and ecosystem health and assess the potential value to be gained through a collaborative approach toward improved health worldwide. The results of the study will be used to develop a strategic roadmap for public and private policies and initiatives that will be instrumental in shaping the implementation of the One Health vision, according to the Institute of Medicine. “The Institute of Medicine study will afford the opportunity to develop an evidence-based rationale for One Health and offer recommendations to guide the implementation of One Health, both domestically and internationally,” said Roger Mahr, DVM, CEO of the One Health Commission. The study is scheduled to launch in early 2010, pending sufficient funding. An audio webcast of the event is available here. For a previous story on the One Health Summit, click here.
