2025 AAHA One Health Guidelines: Navigating Cross-Disciplinary Partnerships
A One Health perspective considers the many factors that influence patient care and recognizes the connections between humans, animals, and the environment. Despite these intersections, there are few resources that take a family-centered, collaborative approach to human and animal health care.
Guidelines at-a-Glance
The AAHA One Health Guidelines help veterinary practices navigate the intricacies of cross-disciplinary communication to better serve patients and families. Veterinary and human healthcare teams can both benefit from the knowledge and support gained by greater collaboration. These guidelines present strategies for One Health case management that clearly define:
- When and how to reach out to other healthcare professionals,
- What veterinarians need to know about HIPAA, and
- How to create and nurture relationships with other health care professionals.
3 Takeaways
- A One Health system addresses client needs that may be overlooked by veterinary services, such as mental or physical health issues, transportation limitations, and financial barriers clients face that impact the care provided to animal patients.
- A supportive One Health system may also reduce moral distress, burnout, and compassion fatigue among health professionals caring for families.
- A One Health system requires a team-based approach, including veterinary and human health care professionals, policymakers, and others helping to provide comprehensive and personalized services.
2 Actions
- Know when to implement a One Health case management approach by asking these questions:
- Is outreach needed to a human health care provider, public health professional, or social worker?
- Who should be contacted and when? Is the situation urgent or emergent?
- How should One Health outreach be documented?
- What follow-up is needed?
- Develop cross-disciplinary relationships within the community to support a One Health system:
- Reach out to human health care professionals and collaborate on joint educational activities.
- Work with community organizations to establish local meet-and-greet activities for One Health purposes.
- Provide education on dog parks, community activities, and resources to improve health outcomes for people and pets.
- Consider offering clinic shadow days and/or clinic “open houses” for those from other professions.
1 Thing to Never Forget
Veterinary and human health professionals occupy integral roles in a One Health system by providing inclusive, equitable, and holistic health care for families and promoting positive social, economic, and environmental determinants of health.
Download One Health Guidelines at-a-Glance
Meet Huck, the One Health Guidelines mascot!
Huck is our mascot for the 2025 One Health Guidelines designed by artist Lili Chin.
The AAHA One Health Guidelines are generously supported by Merck Animal Health.
