A One Health approach applies a transdisciplinary and integrative lens to intersecting challenges at the human-animal-ecosystem health interface, to promote health across and within regions for all species and ecosystems.
This approach is key to improving emerging zoonotic disease prevention, preparedness and response capabilities. A range of capacities and capabilities is essential, especially a robust, highly functional workforce that excels across multiple performance areas that are simultaneously technical and professional. Competencies are needed that incorporate knowledge, skills, and collaborative and productive attitudes and behaviours that lean into collective efforts to prevent, prepare for, and respond to emerging pathogens. The importance of non-technical skills, such as complex problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, people management, and collaboration have been identified by the United Nations. Shortages of these competencies and skills have been documented worldwide, including in Canada. The COHTPEZ program seeks to mitigate gaps in systems-informed content expertise on emerging zoonoses (near-term) and build a sustainable workforce to strengthen human and animal health sectors, the public service at every level of government, not-for-profit and private sectors, and academic research and innovation (longer term).
This program will apply One Health principles as described in the Tripartite Zoonoses Guide, the Quadripartite One Health Joint Plan of Action, and the Quadripartite’s One Health High-Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP)’s white paper on the Prevention of Zoonotic Spillover.