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Breaking One Health News!  …   For Immediate Release:     “International Society of One Health” Proposed by One Health 2011 Congress Leaders   Eminent leaders of the 1st International One Health Congress meeting from 14 – 16 February 2011 http://www.onehealth2011.com/ are proposing establishment of a visionary “International Society of One Health”.  Drs. Martyn Jeggo and David Heymann, a veterinarian and physician respectively, plan to include an all inclusive draft proposal statement* in the satchels of the delegates at the One Health Congress meeting.     The all-encompassing nature of the worldwide Society draft proposal notably contains reference to including One Health comparative biomedical clinical research aspects as well as public health (infectious diseases/zoonoses) at subsequent meetings.  Promoting and facilitating expeditious better understanding of disease processes through a comprehensive “One Health” comparative medicine approach involving public health, environmental health, biomedical research and clinical medicine and surgery appears in the offing.  Ostensibly, in addition to the critical and essential public health mission utilizing more efficacious One Health principles, there is expected to be recognition of and engagement with broad-spectrum high profile human and animal health issues such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, obesity, orthopaedic problems and others.    A goal of institutionalizing the One Health Movement to provide a formal setting for funding acquisition in order to establish a host of cardinal activities is included. The International Society would be established initially by an all inclusive interim international Board as stated in the draft proposal.    Martyn H. Jeggo, BVetMed, PhD is Director, CSIRO Livestock Industries Australian Animal Health Laboratory (Australia) and David L. Heymann, MD is Director, U.K. Health Protection Agency (United Kingdom) and Editor, Control of Communicable Diseases Manual.  Drs. Jeggo and Heymann are both members of the One Health Initiative autonomous pro bono Team’s Honorary Advisory Board http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/advBoard.php.  At this time, expected attendance for the 1st International One Health Congress meeting is now known to be over 600.   Anyone reading this News item and unable to attend the meeting are welcome and encouraged to provide feedback by answering the questions listed at the bottom of this proposal and adding any further comment(s).  Please respond to:   Email: onehealth2011@arinex.com.au Phone: + 61 3 9417 0888 Facsimile: + 61 3 9417 0899 Mail: arinex pty limited91- 97 Islington Street Collingwood VIC 3066 Australia ____________________________________________   Please see Publications Page http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/publications.php for Original International One Health Society Proposal attachment [Note: We are posting an amended version which no longer indicates that the next meeting of the International Congress on One Health would  take place in Canada. This was a misunderstanding on behalf of the Organizing Committee of this current One Health Congress] :   *From 14 – 16 February 2011, Melbourne Australia will host the Inaugural International One Health Congress. The Congress will bring together experts working in the areas of animal and human disease and will address the need and growing interest to broaden the agenda of One Health and incorporate a truly global perspective by including environmental issues.   The “One Health” concept has gained considerable momentum during the planning of the Congress and a clear need for an ongoing Congress forum has been identified. More than that, the idea of establishing an International Society of One Health has emerged as an idea that has great substance and has already garnered worldwide support.   Working alongside other established initiatives such as the One World Website and linking with International and National bodies promoting the One Health concept, Drs. Martyn Jeggo, Chair of the 2011 Congress Committee and David Heymann, Chair of Scientific Committee propose that an International Society of One Health be established and share the following early initial thoughts for your comment(s):   International Society for One Health   The International Congress in Melbourne will allow for open and global consideration of the interrelated issues of animal and human health and the relationship with the environment.  To continue this momentum the Society would:   ·          create the framework to foster projects that can work across all three areas of One Health (Humans, animals and the environment) ·          while initially focusing on public health (infectious diseases) at the first Congress meeting, include One Health comparative biomedical clinical research at subsequent meetings ·          institutionalise the One Health Movement to provide a formal setting for funding and activities ·          promote the exchange of research data, information and knowledge ·          promote knowledge exchange through scientific visits and secondments ·          seek funding and related resources for research activities ·          seek funding for fellowships and scholarships ·          host and manage a Biennial International Congress ·          establish a One Health Scientific Journal ·          provide activity updates through a regular Newsletter ·          implement as appropriate priority activities identified by policy setting Organisations (National Governments, WHO, FAO, OIE).   The International Society would be established initially by an interim Board with the following proposed membership: ·          Two senior members of the Organising Committee of the 1st International One Health Congress ·          A Representative of OIE ·          A Representative of WHO ·          A Representative of FAO ·          A Representative of the UN ·          A Representative of the World Bank ·          A Representative from the major international development agencies ·          A Representative of the US One Health Initiative Autonomous pro bono Team  ·          A Representative of the US CDC or member of the Stone Mountain working group ·          A Representative from each WHO region ·          A Representative of the Next Host Country In addition to the interim Board, it is also proposed that there be a Scientific Advisory Committee that would be created before the next Biennial international congress and oversee the Scientific Program. The Society would be established as a not-for-profit charitable company that is incorporated (within Australia), and have as a key responsibility, the task of mobilising, generating and allocating resources for specific activities as outlined above. Upon the official establishment of the Society, the interim Board would be tasked with preparing drafts of all governance documents for endorsement at the next One Health International Congress. We invite your comments for discussion during the International Congress in February.   Yours Sincerely,                                                                                                                             Martyn Jeggo                                                                             David Heymann                                                                Director                                                                                       Chairman, Scientific Advisory Committee  Chairman, Organising Committee                                                                              In order to progress ideas and reach consensus on the way forward delegates at the One Health Congress are invited to provide feedback to the proposal above through answering the                 following questions and adding any further comment they wish:                                                                                                                                    Would you support the establishment of International Society for One 1.                   Health?          Would you see the aims as appropriate at this stage?          Would you see the activities as described appropriate at this stage? 2.                Would you see the proposed  Board representation and other organisational 3.                    arrangements as appropriate? 4.                Would you see the composition of the Board as appropriate? 5.                What further suggestions would you make if developing this concept: 6.      7.                Additional Comments:          Optional – Name and Organisation/affiliation