Humans, animals, plants, and the environment are inextricably linked with the health of one affecting the health of all. What can the University of Tennessee (UT) do to ensure that the circle of life remains healthy and balanced?
The One Health concept recognizes that health issues must be addressed cohesively instead of independently. This convergence approach is essential when considering that approximately 70% of emerging infectious disease cases in humans and livestock are a consequence of spillover events from wildlife. Similarly, humans play a role in animal disease emergence by facilitating global transfer of infectious agents, altering landscape conditions, and adding environmental disturbances. Losses due to plant diseases can reduce global agricultural productivity by up to 40% for the five major food crops, thus undermining our ability to safeguard national and global food security. In response, state, national and international governmental agencies have initiated programs directed at developing One Health solutions to address the rapidly emerging national and global health challenges that we face.
UT One Health Initiative Is Poised to Make a Difference
UT has a long history of being engaged in and leading One Health studies before it was called One Health. The Center for Wildlife Health and National Institute for Mathematical & Biological Synthesis both provide multidisciplinary environments for the study of health issues arising from the interaction of wildlife, livestock, humans, and the environment. The most recent issue (Fall/Winter 2019) of Land, Life & Sciences magazine, published by the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA), highlights a few transdisciplinary One-Health research and outreach endeavors at UT.
The feature
article is available online.
The initial investment of resources is jointly provided by UT AgResearch, UT Office of the Vice President for Research, UTK Office of Research and Engagement, UTK Office of the Provost, Joint Institute of Biological Sciences of ORNL, UT College of Veterinary Medicine as well as faculty commitment support from the Deans of the Tickle College of Engineering, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, Health and Human Sciences, College of Nursing, College of Social Work, College of Law, and Herbert College of Agriculture.