For over a decade, USAID has been supporting Vietnam to develop a coordinated approach to counter emerging infectious disease threats at the interface of animal, human, and ecosystem health. Known as “One Health,” this collaborative, interdisciplinary approach seeks optimal health outcomes. In 2011, USAID supported the establishment of the Vietnam One Health University Network (VOHUN) to promote and develop “One Health” education among the fields of medicine, veterinary science, nursing, and public health at the country’s universities. In 2016, in collaboration with VOHUN, the University of Minnesota, and Tufts University, USAID supported the establishment of Hanoi Medical University’s (HMU) international Master of Public Health (MPH) degree with a “One Health” focus, the first of its kind in Vietnam. USAID continues to provide student scholarships and support to the English-language program, which attracts both Vietnamese and international students and is contributing to building a global network of “One Health” professionals who will work more effectively together during global health events. On October 12th, 21 students graduated from HMU’s MPH Program, bringing the total number of program graduates to 110.
Rapid urbanization and other trends in the 21st century bring humans and animals into closer and more frequent contact, heightening the risk of disease transfer. Countries need public health professionals trained in “One Health” to better respond to the transnational health threats of today, as the world experienced with the COVID-19 global pandemic.
