Joint AVMA-CVMA-FVE Statement on The Role of Veterinarians in Advancing One Health — A Global Public Good
Oct 27, 2021
Veterinarians work collaboratively with multiple disciplines and stakeholders to protect and advance the health and well-being of animals, humans, and ecosystems (One Health) at the local, national, regional, and international levels. Moreover, through the work they do every day, veterinarians around the world contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals[1] by supporting healthy, productive, and resilient animal and human communities. Veterinarians also work for the direct benefit of the health and welfare of all animals, both for the betterment of the animals themselves and to protect species diversity and ecosystem health; to promote the human-animal bond, which contributes to the emotional and physical wellbeing of both animals and humans; and to advance food security and economic health, particularly in communities in which animals are critical to the provision of transportation, labor, food, and fiber.
The AVMA, CVMA, and FVE are committed to promoting the many ways that veterinarians advance One Health as a global public good, which they do by:
- Protecting and advancing the health and welfare of all animals.
- Investigating animal and human disease outbreaks and developing and implementing programs to enhance epidemiologic understanding, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and management of such diseases.
- Building global surveillance systems to enhance early detection of, and response to, disease threats.
- Ensuring the wholesomeness and safety of all foods of animal origin—from the farm to the fork.
- Developing and implementing guidelines that govern the international trade of animals and animal products in order to not only protect animal health and welfare, but also human and ecosystem health.
- Conducting research to advance animal health and welfare, and human, public, and ecosystem health.
- Evaluating the safety and efficacy of medicines and medical products for use in humans and animals, as well as animal foods and food additives.
- Building and strengthening health infrastructures and helping communities around the world recover from manmade and natural disasters.
- Protecting the environment through programs that manage animal agricultural waste, safe disposal of pharmaceuticals, and utilize environmentally conscious practices in the workplace.
- Working with captive and free-ranging wildlife to protect biodiversity and advance species conservation efforts.
- Promoting life-long learning and embracing innovation and technology.
- Fostering a One Health approach within the next generation of veterinarians and other medical professionals, scientists, and disciplines.
Veterinarians are integral to the provision of global public goods as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO)[2] and World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).[3] As such, the AVMA, CVMA, and FVE will utilize public outreach campaigns and advocacy efforts to actively promote all roles that veterinarians play in advancing One Health. In so doing, these three organizations are committed to working together to ensure that necessary resources are available to advance the veterinary profession on a global level.
Background information of partners concerned:
- The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA; www.avma.org), Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA; www.canadianveterinarians.net) and Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE; www.fve.org) are three of the leading veterinary professional organizations in the world. Together they represent over 330,000 veterinarians in all disciplines of the veterinary profession.
- The mission of the AVMA is to lead the veterinary medical profession by advocating for its members and advancing the science and practice of veterinary medicine to improve animal and human health.
- The CVMA is the voice of the Canadian veterinary profession in promoting animal welfare and One Health, to ensure optimal care for animals, people, and the environment.
- The FVE strives to enhance animal health, animal welfare, public health, and the protection of the environment by promoting the veterinary profession. Together with its members, FVE aims to support veterinarians in delivering their professional responsibilities to the best possible standard, and that this expertise is recognized and valued by society.
[1]United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Sustainable Development Goals. Available at sdgs.un.org/goals. Accessed Feb 22, 2021.
[2]Smith, RD. Global public goods and health. Bulletin of the World Health Organization 2003;81(7). Available at www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/81/7/Smith0703.pdf. Accessed on Feb 22, 2021.
[3]Eloit, M. The global public good concept: A means of promoting good veterinary governance. Rev Sci Tech Off Int Epiz 2012;31(2). Available at http://dx.doi.org/10.20506/rst.31.2.2131. Accessed on Feb 22, 2021.