Animals and Public Health


Book Description

A compelling argument of how human health is adversely affected by our poor treatment of non-human animals. The author contents that in order to successfully confront the 21st Century's health challenges, we need to broaden the definition of the word 'public' in public health to include non-human animals.




One Health


Book Description

Emerging infectious diseases are often due to environmental disruption, which exposes microbes to a different niche that selects for new virulence traits and facilitates transmission between animals and humans. Thus, health of humans also depends upon health of animals and the environment – a concept called One Health. This book presents core concepts, compelling evidence, successful applications, and remaining challenges of One Health approaches to thwarting the threat of emerging infectious disease. Written by scientists working in the field, this book will provide a series of "stories" about how disruption of the environment and transmission from animal hosts is responsible for emerging human and animal diseases. Explains the concept of One Health and the history of the One Health paradigm shift. Traces the emergence of devastating new diseases in both animals and humans. Presents case histories of notable, new zoonoses, including West Nile virus, hantavirus, Lyme disease, SARS, and salmonella. Links several epidemic zoonoses with the environmental factors that promote them. Offers insight into the mechanisms of microbial evolution toward pathogenicity. Discusses the many causes behind the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Presents new technologies and approaches for public health disease surveillance. Offers political and bureaucratic strategies for promoting the global acceptance of One Health.




Animals, Health, and Society


Book Description

CHOICE Recommended title 2022 This timely book reframes the historic narrative of people, animals, and nature as risks to each other, to one where we think about health as a shared capacity. This new narrative promotes the positive contributions made to health across species and generations and addresses growing calls to shift from a reactive to proactive approach in One Health. Editor Craig Stephen takes the reader on a tour of the situations wherein we can all, regardless of our job description, work across species, sectors, and generations to motivate action. Perspectives and methods from a variety of fields and experts are shared and adapted to promote collaborative understanding of and action on determinants of health at the animal-society interface. Case studies demonstrate that the principles and practices presented are feasible, empowering people to make choices that concurrently benefit the health of animals, societies, and ecosystems. The first book to adapt and explain health promotion, harm reduction, and health equity issues in a One Health context, and in terms of animal health, this is necessary reading for students of and practitioners working in planetary health, conservation, ecohealth, public health, health promotion, veterinary medicine, and animal welfare.




Dogs, Zoonoses and Public Health


Book Description

Zoonotic diseases constitute a public health problem throughout the world. Addressing a little studied area of veterinary and medical science, this book covers the viruses, bacteria and protozoan and helminth parasites that are transmitted between man and dogs, discussing population management, control disease agents and human-dog relationships. Fully updated throughout, this new edition also includes two new chapters on benefits of the human-dog relationship and non-infectious disease issues with dogs. It is a valuable resource for researchers and students of veterinary and human medicine, microbiology, parasitology and public health.







Animals, Diseases, and Human Health


Book Description

This book explains how animals shape our lives and our health, providing evidence that a "One Health" approach is the only logical methodology for advancing human health in the future. Modern research shows us that disease and health of animals and people are intrinsically connected. The condition of the environment we share with animals is now understood to be a primary factor in establishing the health of both humans and animals. This concept is the basis of the One Health movement, which strives to expand interdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects of health care for humans and animals worldwide. Animals, Diseases, and Human Health: Shaping Our Lives Now and in the Future is written by leading experts in their fields and is centered around topics that are most relevant to the overlap and connection of animal and human health. Topics covered include human health concerns derived from animals such as allergies and dog bites, global concerns of emerging diseases and pandemics, wildlife smuggling, animal abuse, and common diseases that can stem from popular household pets. Social issues—such as the connection between animal abuse and human violence—are also examined.




Animals, Diseases, and Human Health


Book Description

This book explains how animals shape our lives and our health, providing evidence that a "One Health" approach is the only logical methodology for advancing human health in the future. Modern research shows us that disease and health of animals and people are intrinsically connected. The condition of the environment we share with animals is now understood to be a primary factor in establishing the health of both humans and animals. This concept is the basis of the One Health movement, which strives to expand interdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects of health care for humans and animals worldwide. Animals, Diseases, and Human Health: Shaping Our Lives Now and in the Future is written by leading experts in their fields and is centered around topics that are most relevant to the overlap and connection of animal and human health. Topics covered include human health concerns derived from animals such as allergies and dog bites, global concerns of emerging diseases and pandemics, wildlife smuggling, animal abuse, and common diseases that can stem from popular household pets. Social issues—such as the connection between animal abuse and human violence—are also examined.




Animal Health at the Crossroads


Book Description

The confirmed case of "mad cow" disease (BSE) in June 2005 illustrates the economic impact of disease outbreaks, as additional countries closed their markets to U.S. beef and beef products. Emerging diseases also threaten public health-11 out of 12 of the major global disease outbreaks over the last decade were from zoonotic agents (that spread from animals to humans). Animal Health at the Crossroads: Preventing, Detecting, and Diagnosing Animal Diseases finds that, in general, the U.S. animal health framework has been slow to take advantage of state-of-the-art technologies being used now to protect public health; better diagnostic tests for identifying all animal diseases should be made a priority. The report also recommends that the nation establish a high-level, authoritative, and accountable coordinating mechanism to engage and enhance partnerships among local, state, and federal agencies, and the private sector.




Critical Needs for Research in Veterinary Science


Book Description

Research in veterinary science is critical for the health and well-being of animals, including humans. Food safety, emerging infectious diseases, the development of new therapies, and the possibility of bioterrorism are examples of issues addressed by veterinary science that have an impact on both human and animal health. However, there is a lack of scientists engaged in veterinary research. Too few veterinarians pursue research careers, and there is a shortage of facilities and funding for conducting research. This report identifies questions and issues that veterinary research can help to address, and discusses the scientific expertise and infrastructure needed to meet the most critical research needs. The report finds that there is an urgent need to provide adequate resources for investigators, training programs, and facilities involved in veterinary research.




Our Symphony with Animals


Book Description

A leader in the fields of animal ethics and neurology, Dr. Aysha Akhtar examines the rich human-animal connection and how interspecies empathy enriches our well-being. Deftly combining medicine, social history and personal experience, Our Symphony with Animals is the first book by a physician to show that humans and animals have a shared destiny—our well-being is deeply entwined. Dr. Akhtar reveals how empathy for animals is the next step in our species’ moral evolution and a vital component of human health. When we include animals in our circle of empathy, we not only liberate animals, we also liberate ourselves. Drawing on the accounts of a varied cast of characters—a former mobster, a pediatrician, an industrial chicken farmer, a serial killer, and a deer hunter—to reveal what happens when we both break and forge bonds with animals. Interwoven is Dr. Akhtar’s own story, an immigrant who was bullied in school and abused by her uncle. Feeling abandoned by humanity, it was only when she met Sylvester, a dog who had also been abused, that she find the strength to sound the alarm for them both. Humans are neurologically designed to empathize with animals. Violence against animals goes against our nature. In equal measure, the love we give to animals biologically reverberates back to us. Our Symphony with Animals is the definitive account for why our relationships with animals matter.