One Health is the collaborative effort of multiple disciplines to attain optimal health for people, animals, and the environment. The One Health concept arose from the realization that human, animal, and environmental health are inextricably linked and that a holistic approach is needed to understand, protect, and promote the health of all species.

Today, you will create a campaign to educate people about One Health!

Step 1: Let’s begin by learning how humans, animals, and the environment work together to sustain life. Younger learners watch this video. Older learners watch this video. 

Step 2: When someone gets sick after connecting with an animal, special scientists work like detectives to find out what happened. Become one of these special scientists and solve 2 cases where someone got sick with this activity.

Step 3: Explore a campaign on bats and rabies here. What information is featured on the informative posters? How is it presented? Do you think the posters are eye-catching? Would you change anything about them to make them more attractive?

Step 4: Now that you’ve analyzed an official campaign, it’s time to design your own. Using a design site like Canva (only use free templates) or physical art supplies, create a campaign poster to educate people about One Health and One Health Day (November 3rd).

Step 5: Be sure to ask an adult to share your poster campaign on social media using #MakerMonday, #AlwaysLearningTN, & #OneHealthDay!

Additional Resources:

Plague Inc: The Cure

Nova: 1918 Flu

The world is large and yet, we are all connected. Have you ever wondered about how the environment, animals, and people of this planet impact each other? Today is One Health Day! This  global campaign celebrates and brings attention to the need for a One Health approach to address shared health threats at the human-animal-environment interface.

Today, you will imagine ways you can take part in One Health!

Step 1: To begin One Health Day, let’s take a look at how all things are connected. This activity demonstrates how the health of the planet, humans, and animals rely on each other. 

Step 2: How can you do something to help keep animals healthy? Well, it begins at home with your pets! It’s important to know how to stay safe around your pets and you can review how to stay safe with this coloring book and these resources.  

Step 3:  But what about the other animals in the world? Do you know how to stay safe and healthy around them? Zoonotic Diseases are passed from animals to humans and can make people very sick. Learn more about how to prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases here.

Step 4: Have you ever thought about how pollution affects the planet and people? Specifically, how can contaminated soil affect people? This activity will let you examine why it is important to take care of our soil. Additionally, this video will explain how climate change affects communities. 

Step 5: Ask a family member to share what you learned about One Health Day on social media using #WonderWednesdayTN, #AlwaysLearningTN, & #OneHealthDay!

Additional Resources:

Solve the Outbreak (Grades 6-12)

Responding to Mosquito-Borne Illness (All grades)

There are so many career opportunities within One Health. With organizations like the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations (UN) working to ensure the health of people, animals, and the protection of the environment, you might find work on a global scale. Local Health Departments also work to protect your community. 

Today, you will explore potential careers that support One Health!

Step 1:  Epidemiologists are special scientists that act like disease detectives. They unravel mysteries and work to protect people and animals. Find out more about this fascinating career here and here.

Step 2: Veterinarians are doctors for animals - pets, livestock, and wild animals. They don’t just take care of animals that are sick; they also work to protect them from getting sick. Hear from a veterinarian here. Learn more about vets and vet techs here. 

Step 3: If taking care of the environment is more interesting for you, then you might like being an Environmental Analyst.  They work to study the effects of human impact on the environment. Learn more here. 

Step 4: One career that you might not think about when you consider One Health is Public Relations. Programs and organizations need to have a way to spread their information and educate people on their purpose.  Public Relations careers work to promote the message of a group. Learn more here. 

Step 5: Ask a family member to share something you learned about one of the careers using #FutureFridayTN, #AlwaysLearningTN, & #OneHealthDay!

Additional Resources:

Epidemiology  (high school)

e-Bugs