One Health Integration in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The mission of the One Health Institute (OHI) is to work at the interface of animals, people, and the environment to solve complex problems impacting health and conservation. As we work to solve these complex problems, it is our responsibility to use our research, teaching, advocacy, and academic leadership to fight the widespread adversities that disproportionately harm BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) students, faculty, staff, and communities around the world. Systemic racism is a public health crisis of pandemic proportion, rooted in centuries of injustices and affecting all elements of the social determinants of health, resulting in racial health inequities. Addressing these challenges will take committed, long-term action from across society.
In exploration of what can be accomplished in the short-term, the OHI initiated a small grants program in 2021 to promote the integration of the One Health approach into efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), awarding inaugural grants to four project proposals for 2021-2022. For 2022-2023, our competitive grants program once again funded four $5,000-$10,000 pilot projects that support incorporation of DEI in One Health activities, as well as pilots that propose the use of the One Health approach to address structural racism and reduce biases and inequities at whatever level the submitters might propose.
Due to the success and importance of this program, the OHI is committed to continue its support, shifting to an every-other-year cycle. Applications for the 2024-2025 year will be solicited in the Winter 2023.
2022-2023 Grant Recipients (see below):