AMA, AVMA join forces on One Health initiative

Washington - 7/17/2007 - A new initiative will help physicians and veterinarians better respond to outbreaks of zoonotic diseases, officials report.

Dubbed the One Health Initiative, its goal is to bring veterinary medicine, human medicine and environmental sciences together to build a national strategy.

Unveiled at the recently concluded AVMA meeting, the collaboration aims to improve systems to recognize, monitor and treat zoonotic disease.

Dr. Roger Mahr explains, "The convergence of animal, human and ecosystem health clearly dictates that the 'one world, one health, one medicine' concept must be embraced. Together we can accomplish more to improve health worldwide than we can alone."

Dr. Ron Davis, president-elect of the AMA, adds, "Emerging infectious diseases, with the threats of cross-species transmission and pandemics, represent one of many reasons why the human and veterinary medical profession must work more closely together."

News of the collaboration was unveiled to reporters this week at the AVMA meeting.