A One Health Approach to Understanding Emerging Infectious Disease
Teaching Resources for Interdisciplinary Higher Education
About this resource
Integrating One Health into higher education is crucial for pandemic preparedness. One Health recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, plant, and environmental health, understanding that disease events can be linked to all four domains. One Health education supports the cultivation of a holistic understanding of the systems involved in preventing and responding to disease events, and the interdisciplinary collaboration necessary to facilitate coordinated efforts across sectors.
Integrating One Health into higher education is not just about preparing for the next pandemic; it's about fostering a scientifically literate citizenry in a time where myriad social, economic, environmental, and biological factors contribute to global challenges that require the cooperation of informed individuals to navigate sustainably.
Recommended Use
This resource includes lessons and activities that may be integrated into courses across undergraduate disciplines to teach key concepts in taking a One Health Approach to understanding and addressing emerging infectious diseases. We also offer a library with links to reputable external resources that may be leveraged to enhance classroom teaching on a wide array of One Health related topics.
As you explore this site you will find materials for facilitating a series of four foundational lessons. Depending on the experience level and prior knowledge of learners, instructors may choose to implement all four or a sub-selection of lessons. Each lesson is presented in sections including activities suitable for in-class, small group, or independent work. Facilitators may adapt these lessons to their specific teaching context and setting as they see fit. In addition, a selection of shorter activities is also provided to allow facilitators to address specific content concisely.
Activities
Module 1
This module introduces learners to the One Health approach via a pathogenic fungus scenario, video content, analysis of c. Auris, and reflections on systemic changes for global health events.
Module 2
This module uses Valley fever as a model to explore communication's impact on individual experiences with the disease and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Extension: Climate Science Connections
In Lessons 1 & 2, learners were introduced to the concept of connections between climate and disease event risk. In the following case study, learners are asked to extend their analyses of these connections to an evaluation of Rift Valley Fever risk in Uganda.
Module 3
In this module, we establish the foundation for understanding infectious diseases, focusing on pathogens and transmission methods.
Module 4
In this module, learners explore epidemics, analyze risk factors using COVID-19, and connect societal roles in pandemic prevention via local strategies in Davis, CA.
