One Health is dedicated to improving the lives of all species – human and animal – through the integration of human medicine, veterinary medicine, and environmental science – Vision Statement of the One Health Initiative
What is One Health?
The One Health concept is rooted in the understanding of the interdependence of human and natural systems. It recognizes that the health of people is closely connected with the health of animals and the environment. It is in harmony with Mauli Ola, the Hawaiian concept of physical, spiritual and mental health and of social and cultural wellbeing and is deeply rooted in the indigenous belief that the health of the individual and the community are inextricably linked to the health of the environment.
University of Hawai‘i One Health Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Certificate Program
The One Health Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Certificate Program at the University of Hawai‘i prepares students with the skills and knowledge to work collaboratively across disciplines to solve real-world problems. Based in the UH Manoa Interdisciplinary Studies Program, it is a partnership of faculty from the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM), the Office of Public Health Studies (OPHS) in the Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health (TSSWPH), the Pacific Biosciences Research Center (PBRC) in the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), and the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR). This One Health educational initiative was selected as a winner of the UH Manoa Provostʻs 2019-2020 Strategic Investment Competition for High-Impact Practices in Undergraduate Education.
The One Health certificate will benefit students pursuing a wide range of professions in human, animal or environmental health. Examples of career opportunities include professionals in human health (doctors, nurses, public health practitioners, epidemiologists, research scientists), animal health (veterinarians, veterinary technicians, agricultural workers), and environmental health (ecologists, wildlife experts). Other One Health-related careers include science writing, food safety, disaster preparedness, global disease surveillance, policy, and sustainability practices.
One Health Curriculum
The One Health curriculum consists of 15 credits of One-Health-related coursework and a capstone experience which can be (1) a mentored-research offered by an interdisciplinary team of researchers based in the participating units, or (2) a supervised practicum with organizations relevant to One-Health. Core courses include a 3-credit One Health Introductory Course exploring the intersection between human health, animal/plant health and environmental health, a 2-credit One Health Seminar Course to engage undergraduates with world-class UHM researchers, and a 1 credit One Health Journal Club Course. The remaining credits can be from existing courses approved by the program, along with new courses designed to address specific aspects of One Health. Several tracks are envisioned that will align with the student’s specific interests in medical, animal, social and environmental science. See Program Description for more details.