The University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health has been selected to coordinate a consortium serving the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to improve the health and well-being of humans, animals, plants and the environment.
“Ample scientific evidence exists that demonstrates the interconnectedness of health across ecosystems,” explained Maureen Lichtveld, MD, MPH, dean of Pitt’s School of Public Health, who will lead the new consortium at the University. “The Pennsylvania One Health Consortium will serve as a transdisciplinary resource of research, education, policy and community engagement for our commonwealth and the region.”
As the coordinating institution, Pitt’s School of Public Health will engage with other academic partners – including Penn State, the University of Pennsylvania, Delaware Valley University and Temple University – to plan organized activities, develop curricula, submit research proposals, inform policy, and share One Health resources.
The consortium builds on a strong foundation established by the Pennsylvania One Health Task Force, launched in 1988 by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
“Human, plant and animal health and the health of our environment are unmistakably interconnected and reliant on each other,” said Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding. “The PA One Health Consortium will strengthen communication among those who conduct the research, drive innovation, and make policy decisions that affect our health and our lives together. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is grateful to Pitt’s School of Public Health for taking on this critical role, and will continue to actively support its mission.”
In addition to serving as the coordinating anchor, Pitt will apply its cutting-edge research resources to the new endeavor and invest research and education seed funding to promote transdisciplinary collaborations across the consortium partners.
“We look forward to expanding what we know about One Health to work toward a healthy society in which every one of us can thrive,” Lichtveld said.
-Clare Collins