Approaches to Operationalizing One Health from edX

One Health is well accepted as an approach to understand issues at the interface of human, animal, and environmental health. This work requires cross cultural and interdisciplinary collaborative efforts that utilize several strategies while prioritizing community involvement. With this approach a broad and simultaneously deep knowledge base can be developed. Such a constructionist approach to problem solving can support tremendous understanding of problems at their root causes, but this process is often associated with challenges that make operationalizing One Health difficult. In this course students will learn what toolkits are available and widely used, their strengths and shortcomings, and how to implement them to put One Health concepts into practice.

Five different tools will be described and practiced to enhance the approach, understanding, and implementation of each platform. Each of these tools will be reviewed and discussed in how they are used from a community-based participatory approach.

By the end of this course students will have the opportunity to apply what they have learned through all three One Health courses by choosing an issue that they themselves have seen or experienced. They will create their own personalized portfolio that will allow them to apply their understanding of One Health, and utilize the skills and toolkits attained to build a sustainable mitigation plan.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Students who complete this course will:
Discuss how/why toolkits can be useful
Determine the effectiveness of toolkits as a resource
Learn the basic operation of some one health toolkits
Identify ways that toolkits can collaborate
Know how to use information learned in one health courses to apply to life
Put together a portfolio and sustainability plan on an issue that will be assessed.
Understand the basic concepts associated with active listening and be able to implement this skill in their work with others within and across their discipline and culture.

Understand the importance of emotional intelligence and cultural awareness in effective and respectful communication and know where to go to improve their cultural awareness for a given situation
Understand the dos and don’ts of building and maintaining effective and respectful relationships with communities they work with.
Understand how to use a community-based participatory approach to define the local community’s perspective of a one health issue.
Learn the value and use of structured decision making
Learn the basic principles behind and some applications of the oh-smart tool.
Identify knowledge holders and stakeholders that play roles in understanding and addressing a one health issue.
Know how to build open-ended questions for interviewing knowledge holders and stakeholders

Students who complete this course will:
Discuss how/why toolkits can be useful
Determine the effectiveness of toolkits as a resource
Learn the basic operation of some one health toolkits
Identify ways that toolkits can collaborate
Know how to use information learned in one health courses to apply to life
Put together a portfolio and sustainability plan on an issue that will be assessed.
Understand the basic concepts associated with active listening and be able to implement this skill in their work with others within and across their discipline and culture.
Understand the importance of emotional intelligence and cultural awareness in effective and respectful communication and know where to go to improve their cultural awareness for a given situation
Understand the dos and don’ts of building and maintaining effective and respectful relationships with communities they work with.
Understand how to use a community-based participatory approach to define the local community’s perspective of a one health issue.
Learn the value and use of structured decision making
Learn the basic principles behind and some applications of the oh-smart tool.
Identify knowledge holders and stakeholders that play roles in understanding and addressing a one health issue.
Know how to build open-ended questions for interviewing knowledge holders and stakeholders

Syllabus

Week 1: Building Skills

Building skills that support success in One Health

Active listening

Emotional Intelligence

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Covers all steps of problem solving in interdisciplinary and cross-cultural situations

Describes toolkits as an approach to understand issues at the interface of human, animal, and environmental health

Taught by instructors from various backgrounds, such as public health, environmental science, and more, who are recognized for their work in One Health

Develops toolkits that can be used to put One Health concepts into practice

Features a portfolio assessment where learners must apply what they have learned to a real-world issue

Provides opportunities to develop a mitigation plan based on the learner's own experiences and observations

Reviews summary

Practical operationalization of one health

According to learners, this course offers a highly practical and actionable approach to One Health, excelling in showing how to implement key toolkits such as OH-SMART. Students consistently praise its strong emphasis on community engagement, interdisciplinary communication skills, and the valuable capstone portfolio project, which allows for real-world application. While a minority of experienced learners found some initial modules or communication topics somewhat foundational, the course is broadly regarded as an invaluable resource for professionals seeking to bridge theory with practical operational strategies.

Highlights the importance of human skills in interdisciplinary work.

"I particularly appreciated the emphasis on community engagement and building respectful relationships."

"The modules on active listening and emotional intelligence were a pleasant surprise and very relevant for collaborative work."

"I particularly valued the emphasis on community participation and the ethical considerations of working with diverse populations."

Features detailed instruction on important One Health tools.

"The focus on specific toolkits like OH-SMART and the LEO Network was incredibly valuable."

"The OH-SMART module was a highlight."

"The coverage of different toolkits was comprehensive, and the case studies helped to illustrate their application."

Culminates in a significant project applying all learned concepts.

"The portfolio project at the end truly helped solidify my understanding and provided a tangible output."

"The final portfolio assignment was a brilliant way to apply everything. It truly prepares you to tackle complex One Health issues."

"The portfolio exercise was a real highlight – it forces you to think deeply and apply the concepts."

Emphasizes actionable strategies and real-world implementation.

"This course was a fantastic exploration into the practical application of One Health principles."

"What truly stands out is the practical focus. It’s not just theory; they equip you with actual tools and strategies."

"The most valuable aspect for me was the direct focus on how to *do* One Health, not just talk about it."

Some initial content may feel introductory for experienced learners.

"My only minor critique is that some of the initial content felt a bit introductory if you already have a background in interdisciplinary studies..."

"I felt that some of the earlier discussions on general communication skills could have been condensed, as they were quite basic."

"The communication skills sections, while important, felt a bit drawn out and could be more concise for learners with existing professional experience."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Approaches to Operationalizing One Health with these activities:

Organize and review course materials regularly

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Stay organized and ensure a deeper understanding of the course material by regularly reviewing and compiling your notes, assignments, and other resources

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Create a dedicated study space and keep your materials organized
Review your notes after each lecture or class session

Practice active listening and communication skills

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Improve your ability to actively listen and communicate effectively with others, which is essential for successful collaboration in One Health

Browse courses on Active Listening

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Engage in mock conversations with peers or family members, practicing active listening and providing constructive feedback
Attend workshops or seminars on effective communication and interpersonal skills

Engage in peer study groups or discussions

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Collaborate with peers to enhance your understanding of the course material and develop your critical thinking skills

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Form study groups with classmates and meet regularly to discuss the course content
Participate in online forums or discussion boards related to One Health

Two other activities

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Develop a One Health case study

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Apply your knowledge and skills to develop a comprehensive case study that addresses a real-world One Health issue

Browse courses on Case Study Analysis

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Identify a relevant One Health issue and gather data from various sources
Analyze the data and identify key factors and relationships
Develop recommendations for addressing the issue based on One Health principles

Develop a communication plan for a One Health project

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Apply your understanding of effective communication to develop a comprehensive plan for engaging stakeholders and disseminating One Health project results

Browse courses on Communication Plan

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Identify target audiences and their communication needs
Develop key messages and communication materials

Career center

Learners who complete Approaches to Operationalizing One Health will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

One Health Specialist

One Health specialists work to improve the health of humans, animals, and the environment by addressing health issues at the interface of these disciplines. This course would be very useful in helping you to develop the skills and knowledge needed to be a successful One Health specialist. The course will provide you with a foundation in the One Health approach, as well as the skills needed to implement One Health projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for One Health Specialist

Veterinarian

Veterinarians diagnose, treat, and prevent disease, injury, and other health problems in animals. This course may be useful in helping you to understand the One Health approach, which is a collaborative effort between human, animal, and environmental health professionals to address health issues at the interface of these disciplines.

See salaries and explore the career path for Veterinarian

Environmental Health Scientist

Environmental health scientists study the relationship between the environment and human health. This course may be useful in helping you to understand the One Health approach, which is a collaborative effort between human, animal, and environmental health professionals to address health issues at the interface of these disciplines.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Health Scientist

Public Health Nurse

Public health nurses work to improve the health of communities by providing education, counseling, and other services. This course may be useful in helping you to understand the One Health approach, which is a collaborative effort between human, animal, and environmental health professionals to address health issues at the interface of these disciplines. This approach can be useful in understanding the health needs of communities and developing programs to address those needs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Nurse

Wildlife Biologist

Wildlife biologists study the behavior, ecology, and conservation of wildlife. This course may be useful in helping you to understand the One Health approach, which is a collaborative effort between human, animal, and environmental health professionals to address health issues at the interface of these disciplines. This approach can be useful in understanding the health of wildlife populations and developing programs to protect them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wildlife Biologist

Medical Anthropologist

Medical anthropologists study the relationship between culture and health. This course may be useful in helping you to understand the One Health approach, which is a collaborative effort between human, animal, and environmental health professionals to address health issues at the interface of these disciplines. This approach can be useful in understanding the cultural factors that influence health and developing programs to address health disparities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Anthropologist

Health Educator

Health educators work to improve the health of communities by providing education, counseling, and other services. This course may be useful in helping you to understand the One Health approach, which is a collaborative effort between human, animal, and environmental health professionals to address health issues at the interface of these disciplines. This approach can be useful in understanding the health needs of communities and developing programs to address those needs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Educator

Community Organizer

Community organizers work to improve the lives of communities by organizing people and resources. This course may be useful in helping you to understand the One Health approach, which is a collaborative effort between human, animal, and environmental health professionals to address health issues at the interface of these disciplines. This approach can be useful in understanding the needs of communities and developing programs to address those needs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Organizer

Policy Analyst

Policy analysts research and analyze public policy issues. This course may be useful in helping you to understand the One Health approach, which is a collaborative effort between human, animal, and environmental health professionals to address health issues at the interface of these disciplines. This approach can be useful in understanding the policy issues that affect health and developing policies to address those issues.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Program Manager

Program managers plan, implement, and evaluate programs. This course may be useful in helping you to understand the One Health approach, which is a collaborative effort between human, animal, and environmental health professionals to address health issues at the interface of these disciplines. This approach can be useful in understanding the needs of communities and developing programs to address those needs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Research Scientist

Research scientists conduct research to advance scientific knowledge. This course may be useful in helping you to understand the One Health approach, which is a collaborative effort between human, animal, and environmental health professionals to address health issues at the interface of these disciplines. This approach can be useful in understanding the causes of health problems and developing interventions to address them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Scientist

Teacher

Teachers educate students in a variety of subjects. This course may be useful in helping you to understand the One Health approach, which is a collaborative effort between human, animal, and environmental health professionals to address health issues at the interface of these disciplines. This approach can be useful in teaching students about the importance of health and the environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Journalist

Journalists write and report on news stories. This course may be useful in helping you to understand the One Health approach, which is a collaborative effort between human, animal, and environmental health professionals to address health issues at the interface of these disciplines. This approach can be useful in reporting on health issues and the environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate patterns and causes of disease and other health problems in populations. This course may be useful in helping you to understand the One Health approach, which is a collaborative effort between human, animal, and environmental health professionals to address health issues at the interface of these disciplines. This approach can be useful in understanding the spread of disease and other health problems in populations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Lawyer

Lawyers advise clients on legal matters and represent them in court. This course may be useful in helping you to understand the One Health approach, which is a collaborative effort between human, animal, and environmental health professionals to address health issues at the interface of these disciplines. This approach can be useful in understanding the legal issues that affect health and the environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lawyer