Highlighting the Importance of Workforce Diversity in the One Health Approach

October 12, 2024

A new article underscores a critical gap in the One Health framework, a global initiative addressing the complex relationship between human, animal, and environmental health. Researchers Amélie Desvars-Larrive and Fariba Karimi emphasize that the current approach lacks attention to workforce diversity.

The researchers argue that solving public health challenges requires not just interdisciplinary collaboration but also a diverse workforce, representing different ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, and nationalities. This diversity enriches problem-solving by incorporating varied perspectives and lived experiences.

Desvars-Larrive explains that diversity extends beyond expertise, and social constructs like race and ethnicity offer unique insights into health challenges. Karimi adds that addressing global health problems demands creative thinking, which is strengthened by diverse teams. These teams foster innovation, reduce groupthink, and improve research outcomes, particularly when engaging minority communities.

The article calls for a broader approach in One Health, advocating for inclusiveness to drive innovation and effective solutions to complex health issues.