Bridging the Gaps: A One Health Communications Framework for Mobilizing Knowledge at the Nexus of Human, Animal, and Environmental Health

Health is connected and collective. Connections across species and geographies promote the spread of infectious diseases. Collectively, humans, animals, and environments face shared health threats like climate change. This concept of ‘One Health’ is a valuable lens through which to identify actions that support a healthy world. Yet, One Health’s major strength is also its largest challenge as it relies on bridging disciplinary silos — veterinarians and doctors, policy makers and public health practitioners, scientists, and the public. My community-engaged research explores a framework for mobilizing information at this nexus of health. Working with policy makers, health practitioners, and communities, I will identify communication structures that can be deployed at regional scales and across sectors. By understanding community knowledge and perceptions of three One Health issues (chronic wasting disease, avian influenza virus, and rat-associated diseases), I will resolve how health messages can be strengthened to promote public participation in disease surveillance programs. Engaging with knowledge users at all levels will help to improve data collection, monitoring, and inform government decision making and timely action.