A One Health approach to protect health for all
The health of people is linked to the health of animals, plants, and our shared environment. A collaborative, multidisciplinary One Health approach can help prevent, detect, and manage a wide range of public health concerns like diseases spread by animals, antimicrobial resistance, food safety, and much more.
As part of Hatch Multistate projects, multidisciplinary researchers at land-grant universities are working together to protect health for all.
Antimicrobial treatments are used in agriculture to protect livestock health, but over the past several decades, microbial resistance to these treatments has escalated. As antimicrobial resistance spreads, treatments may become ineffective, leaving animals and humans vulnerable to infections. Scientists at land-grant universities have developed ways to mitigate antimicrobial resistance in animal agriculture. Their outreach and education efforts have increased awareness of antimicrobial resistance issues and solutions among scientists, farmers, veterinarians, communities, policymakers, and students.
Parasites, viruses, and other pathogens transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks can cause sickness and death in humans and livestock as well as serious economic impacts. Researchers across the U.S. are working together on a multistate project to manage ticks and mosquitoes and the pathogens they carry.
Flies, ticks, and other arthropods are serious, costly pests in animal agriculture. They can damage skin, cause inflammation and allergic reactions, and transmit disease-causing pathogens. Scientists from land-grant universities across the U.S. are working together to identify economically and environmentally sustainable ways to protect livestock and humans from flies, ticks, and other arthropod pests and ensure a safe, secure food supply.
Avian diseases, such as bird flu, can pose a health threat to other animals, including humans. Scientists at land-grant universities are working together to develop and share the information, tools, and strategies needed to prevent, detect, and manage avian diseases.
As part of a multistate project improving reproductive performance in cattle and sheep, researchers have made discoveries that have broader relevance including impacts on human perinatal medicine, endometrial cancer suppression, and improved understanding of and possible therapies for a leading cause of infertility in women.
A team of multidisciplinary researchers and Extension professionals from 39 land-grant institutions is conducting risk-based research, education, and outreach to improve food safety from farm to table.
Many solid and liquid wastes can be reused as soil amendments that benefit farmers and communities, there are concerns about potential contaminants like PFAS, pharmaceuticals, and E. coli. Researchers at land-grant universities are working together—and with government agencies, municipalities, farmers, and others—to develop technologies, strategies, and guidelines for safe, sustainable, cost-effective reuse of residuals.
Researchers at land-grant universities are working together to develop nanotechnology that can be used to safeguard food security and protect the public from pathogens in food, water, and the environment.