Today, Reps. Kurt Schrader (D-OR) and Ted Yoho (R-FL) introduced the bipartisan H. Res. 794 to designate January 2020 as “National One Health Awareness Month” to promote awareness of organizations focused on public health, animal health and environmental health collaboration throughout the United States and to recognize the critical contributions of those organizations to the future of the United States.
“Veterinarians are uniquely equipped to recognize the connections between animal and human health,” said Rep. Kurt Schrader, one of three veterinarians currently serving in the United States Congress. “Diseases like rabies, salmonella, West Nile Virus and avian flu are all examples of diseases that are seen in animals before humans and can be fatal in both. It is critical that we work to improve coordination between veterinarians who work with animals and federal agencies who can respond to health outbreaks.”
“I am honored to join my friend and fellow veterinarian Rep. Kurt Schrader in this bipartisan effort to designate January as “National One Health Awareness Month” by the U.S. House of Representatives,” said Rep. Yoho (R-FL). “This resolution continues our efforts to amplify the importance of a “one health” approach to better prepare and prevent human and animal health emergencies.”
Reps. Schrader and Yoho introduced the bipartisan Advancing Emergency Preparedness Through One Health Act in July of 2019. This legislation would improve public health preparedness in the event of an emergency by helping federal agencies implement a “One Health” approach. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that up to 75 percent of new or emerging infectious diseases in people are spread by animals. The One Health concept recognizes that the health of people is connected to the health of animals and the environment.
