News

June 15, 2015

The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC  20500

Dear Mr. President:

On behalf of the National Academies of Practice (NAP), representing 14 health care professions (Audiology, Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Osteopathic Medicine, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Podiatric Medicine, Psychology, Social Work, Speech & Language Pathology, and Veterinary Medicine) who strongly champion interprofessional health practice and education, I write in support of the sentiments shared by seven U.S. Senators in a February 12, 2015 letter and the May 21, 2015 letter from the American Public Health Association to you advocating for a multidisciplinary “One Health” approach to pandemic prevention. This approach considers the integral connections between human, animal and environmental health to more effectively address the current and future disease threat within the United States and globally.

NAP supports the One Health Commission, which serves as a platform for One Health discussions. The National Academies of Practice strongly believes that patients are served better when there is collaboration between health care professionals delivering care to them.  The theme for our April 2015 forum was “Engaging the Patient and Family in Patient-Centered Care: An Interprofessional Approach” and the theme for our 2014 annual forum was “One Team-One Health.” With the escalating costs of health care, diversity of populations, migration around the world and effect of communicable diseases, this approach makes more sense.  It is quite evident that one health has a role to play in health care delivery and prevention.

NAP strongly supports national efforts to strengthen prevention of all diseases that impact quality of life, and stands ready to assist in the promotion of one health framework. We welcome the opportunity to provide input and collaborate with agencies and organizations engaged in one health.

Thank you for your attention to this timely issue of supporting public health in the United States.

Sincerely,
 
Satya B. Verma, OD, FAAO, FNAP, Diplomate
President, National Academies of Practice

To view a PDF version of the letter, visit this link.