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Global One Health Academy

The Global One Health Academy engages faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students in improving the health of plants, animals, biodiversity and human society in North Carolina and beyond.

Welcome to the Global One Health Academy

NC State’s Global One Health Academy builds upon the university’s strengths in agriculture and plant health, veterinary medicine and domestic animal health, and the health of biodiverse ecosystems and human societies to address complex global challenges.

What is One Health?

One Health is the idea that the health of people is connected to the health of animals, plants and ecosystems. As the Earth’s population grows, our connection with plants, animals, biodiversity and the environment changes. Such connection is engendered by people living closer together, changes in climate and land use, greater global travel and trade, and the role of animals beyond food source. These factors impact the health of our shared environment, affect food and water supplies, and make it easier for diseases to spread between animals and people.

Game-changing Health Research

NC State’s Global One Health Academy is among a small handful of similar programs in the world, and brings unique perspectives and expertise. The academy builds upon the university’s strengths in agriculture and plant health, veterinary medicine and domestic animal health, and the health of biodiverse ecosystems and human societies. It also strengthens NC State’s commitment to interdisciplinary excellence and collaboration among faculty, staff and students across colleges and units.

Research within the academy considers three thematic areas that address the 2030 UN Sustainable Development goals: combating infectious diseases, driving food and water solutions, and addressing climate change and health disparities.

Butterfly on Glass Globe

A One Health approach tackles shared health threats by looking at all angles — plant, animal, biodiversity, environmental and human.