How Animals Impact Community Health
Animal health and human health are connected in many ways, thanks to the complex interactions between animals, humans, and the environment (One Health). Animals impact the health of individuals, communities, and our planet as a whole. Here’s a look at the importance of animals in relation to community health.
Zoonotic Diseases
The CDC defines zoonotic diseases, also known as zoonoses, as diseases that are “caused by germs that spread between animals and people.” This zoonotic transmission between people and animals spreads “harmful germs like viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi.”
Zoonoses make up a large percentage of both new and existing diseases in humans; there are over 200 types known to exist. These diseases highlight a crucial aspect of human-animal interaction, as diseased animals can pass these zoonoses on to people. This issue is further complicated by processes like antimicrobial resistance.
Indicators of Environmental Health Issues
Animal health can also be an important indicator of environmental health, as animals may demonstrate negative health effects earlier than humans. Hearkening back to coal miners using canaries to detect poisonous gas, modern scientists can study changes in animal populations and behavior to determine negative environmental effects that can warn of health effects for humans, too. Animal health can also be used to track ecosystem vitality, which is necessary for the promotion of human, animal, and environmental wellness.
Food Safety and Food Security
Because some animals and animal products are used in food, zoonotic diseases are also a concern that impacts food safety. Food safety “refers to the conditions and practices that preserve the quality of food to prevent contamination and food-borne illnesses.” Animal health is therefore an essential part of food safety, and helps ensure the availability of healthy food for populations around the globe.
Additionally, animal health is necessary for proper maintenance of food supply chains. Interruption of those food supply chains leads to food insecurity. In societies where animals are an integral part of locals’ livelihood or food sources, the health of those animal populations is especially important. Declines in populations due to unsustainable hunting, habitat destruction and fragmentation, disease, and more can have devastating effects on community health.
The Human-Animal Bond
Humans have long had an emotional connection with animals, and this human and animal relationship is no less important today. From pets to service animals, emotional support animals, and more, our creature friends benefit our physical health and safety, mental health, and overall well-being.
Through all these ways and more, animals play a crucial role in the integrated health of humans, animals, and the planet—a concept known as One Health. Here at International Veterinary Outreach (IVO), we promote the One Health initiative by expanding interdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects of health care for humans, animals, and the environment with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes.
We’re on a mission to create a healthy global community free of animal suffering. We want to improve the lives of people and animals worldwide, and you can help us do it! Donate now to support our conservation efforts and our other animal health programs around the globe! Find out how you can get involved, sign up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date, and learn more about our decade of positive impact!
