CWU to host statewide One Health Conference on August 16

Mark your calendars for August 16, when Central Washington University will be hosting the 2023 One Health Conference.

The event, co-sponsored by the Washington State Department of Health and a number of other state agencies, is an opportunity for cross-sector sharing and collaboration on human, animal, and environmental health issues.

The conference, which will take place in the SURC, is a follow-up to the successful One Health Needs Assessment Workshop on the CWU campus in mid-March.

"We are so grateful to leverage CWU's central location and beautiful SURC space to convene partners across the governmental public health system, state agencies, community-based organizations, and academic partners," said Carrie Evans, academic affairs director for the DOH.

In preparation for the conference, the DOH is encouraging faculty and student to submit presentation abstracts, specifically from CWU's health-related programs, as well as environmental sciences and agriculture. If you would like to submit an abstract, please email Lauren Sarkissian at DOH. Submissions are due Friday, May 19.

One Health is a collaborative approach to achieving optimal health for all by recognizing the health of humans, animals, plants, and the wider environment are closely linked and interdependent.

Attendees at the March workshop focused on One Health topics such as animal health, antimicrobial resistance, biodiversity, climate change, environmental health, data systems, marine health, One Health cross-sectoral engagement, and zoonotic and vector-borne disease. The workshop helped the DOH produce a report of actionable plans to address key priorities for One Health work in Washington.

CWU President Jim Wohlpart delivered an address to attendees from around the state in March, and he looks forward to hosting the August 16 event on campus.

"Central Washington University believes that the overall health of our communities and our environment is paramount," Wohlpart said. "Working closely with our staff, faculty, and community partners, CWU is eager to help provide solutions to the many challenges we are facing today, and those we may face in the future."

More information about the One Health Conference is available on the DOH website.