This week on One Health Wednesdays, Dr. Chanchal Bhattacharya joins us from India to talk about what it really looks like to operationalize One Health across scale, season, and sector. With decades of experience in veterinary public health and cross-sector collaboration, he shares field-tested insights: from strengthening antimicrobial stewardship in backyard poultry to designing solar-powered cold chains for rural vaccine storage.
We explore what makes One Health work in communities with dense human-livestock cohabitation, where public health depends as much on data as it does on trust, infrastructure, and adaptation.
This is an episode about making One Health not just a framework, but a function.
This episode of One Health Wednesdays, hosted by Dr. Ginger Dixon with guest host Dr. Julia Zammit, features a dynamic group discussion on frameworks and gender equity in One Health. The conversation highlights the work of the Network for Ecohealth and One Health (NEOH) and its Gender Working Group, which has been advancing equity-focused approaches to public health, sustainability, and systems change for over a decade.
Panelists include Dr. Julie Garnier, Dr. Evan Griffith, Elena Boriani, Dr. Brigitte Banyole, Carla Berger, and Dr. Sara Savic, each bringing expertise spanning veterinary medicine, anthropology, chemistry, and international development. Together they unpack the importance of mainstreaming gender equity into One Health practices, from global action plans to local community resilience.
The discussion explores key milestones such as the One Health Evaluation Handbook, the newly released open-access textbook on One Health competencies, and the groundbreaking gender-responsive implementation guide for national One Health action plans.
Tune in to learn how equity-focused frameworks are reshaping the future of One Health collaboration worldwide.
Explore More about NEOH:
🌐 NEOH resources and membership: https://neoh.network
📘 Open-access textbook: https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/9781800623002.0000
💼 LinkedIn community: https://www.linkedin.com/company/107974566/admin/dashboard/
In this episode of One Health Wednesdays, Dr. Ginger Dixon speaks with Dr. Ife Akanbi, a public health veterinarian, lecturer, and rabies educator from Nigeria. Dr. Akanbi shares how she integrates community engagement, vaccination programs, and policy advocacy into a systems-based approach to rabies prevention.
Her work reaches dog owners, hunters, school children, market traders, and healthcare workers, adapting education and intervention strategies to cultural contexts. She addresses challenges such as mistrust, limited vaccine access, and traditional practices that increase rabies risk. Initiatives like mobile vaccination clinics, the Zero Rabies app, and youth engagement programs help bridge gaps between policy, community needs, and available resources.
Dr. Akanbi’s vision focuses on strengthening laws for responsible dog ownership, improving vaccine distribution systems, and fostering collaboration between animal, human, and environmental health sectors to reduce rabies cases and strengthen One Health systems.
🎧 Listen now to hear how coordinated systems and culturally informed strategies can save lives.
We’ll add these links to the show notes for reference.
So Sad! She lost Her First Son to Rabies
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ifeoluwapo-akanbi-7568a9101_worldrabiesday-endrabiesnow-onehealth4all-activity-7113262281471275008-K2f8?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAABnwWvIBqgUI5KTrqt3Z3uegvp5XIb0Ug7Y
A Nursing Mother Dies of Rabies Shortly after Delivering her Baby
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ifeoluwapo-akanbi-7568a9101_rabies-rages-lets-join-forces-to-combat-activity-7279833134433529856-pg6w?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAABnwWvIBqgUI5KTrqt3Z3uegvp5XIb0Ug7Y
Rabies Education for Children
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ifeoluwapo-akanbi-7568a9101_rabiesawareness-publichealtheducation-healthcommunication-activity-7320816245207887872-V0ZQ?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAABnwWvIBqgUI5KTrqt3Z3uegvp5XIb0Ug7Y
Saving Lives with Rabies Vaccine
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ifeoluwapo-akanbi-7568a9101_worldimmunizationweek-worldimmunizationweek2025-activity-7325081481121267712-Q50U?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAABnwWvIBqgUI5KTrqt3Z3uegvp5XIb0Ug7Y
Antimicrobial Resistance Club launch
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ifeoluwapo-akanbi-7568a9101_antimicrobialresistance-amr-antimicrobialstewardship-activity-7334156114135035904-U7_t?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAABnwWvIBqgUI5KTrqt3Z3uegvp5XIb0Ug7Y
Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Campaign
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ifeoluwapo-akanbi-7568a9101_fcahptib61stanniversary-amr-amu-activity-7313339491342020610-YOFr?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAABnwWvIBqgUI5KTrqt3Z3uegvp5XIb0Ug7Y
In this week’s episode of One Health Wednesdays, guest host Dr. Julia Zammit speaks with PhD researchers Jennifer Collins and Ana Krause about how One Health systems succeed (or stall) when implementation is overlooked.
They explore why most antimicrobial resistance (AMR) plans neglect environmental health, how terminology gaps and siloed thinking disrupt collaboration, and what it means to embed sustainability into infection control. From refugee camp operations to evidence reviews, this conversation draws a clear line between field realities and global guidance.
With a focus on implementation science, real-world research, and sustainability-driven practice, this One Health episode offers a grounded look at how to make meaningful systems change. You’ll hear practical ideas for building strong cross-sector partnerships and the case for turning One Health goals into shared responsibility.
🎧 Listen in to hear what One Health looks like when collaboration and context drive the work.
In this solo “Field Notes” episode of One Health Wednesdays, Dr. Ginger Dixon steps into the woods and into the heart of a growing public health concern: Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). While no human cases have been confirmed, this prion disease is reshaping the landscape of wildlife management, food security, and community traditions.
Dr. Dixon demystifies the science of prions, misfolded proteins with a haunting ability to cross species, and explains why CWD echoes the hard lessons of Mad Cow Disease. More than just science, this episode serves as a field-ready guide for front-line hunters and conservationists.
From prevention practices to field dressing and sanitization protocols, listeners will walk away with grounded tools and a clearer sense of their role in collective protection. Because when hunters lead with vigilance, they become stewards of ecosystems, food systems, and public health.
🎧 Tune in to learn what it means to be on the front lines of a resilient response.
In this solo "Field Notes" edition of One Health Wednesdays, Dr. Ginger Dixon, public health strategist and founder of One Life Epi Solutions, explores the evolving landscape of case investigations through the lens of the H5N1 outbreak. With over a thousand dairy herds across 17 states affected and growing concern over zoonotic spillover, this episode underscores the urgency of applying systems thinking to our surveillance and response efforts.
Drawing from her background as both an epidemiologist and former nurse, Dr. Dixon unpacks how H5N1 is challenging traditional public health models—and what a systems-first, One Health approach could look like in practice. Along the way, she shares candid reflections on professional resilience, behind-the-scenes case investigation challenges, and why grounding our response strategies in real-world complexity matters more than ever.
Listeners will walk away with a deeper understanding of outbreak dynamics, intersectoral collaboration, and the small but mighty shifts that can restore flow in broken systems.
Tune in to learn how resilience, data, and cross-sector insight can shape a stronger future for One Health.
Keywords: One Health, H5N1, case investigations, public health systems, zoonotic disease, resilience, Dr. Ginger Dixon
On this episode of One Health Wednesdays, presented by One Life Epi Solutions (OLES), guest host Dr. Julia Zammit welcomes Dr. Evan Griffith, a veterinarian, One Health researcher and PhD candidate at Tufts University. With a background spanning conservation medicine, public health, and veterinary science, Dr. Griffith shares how his fieldwork with pastoralist communities in Turkana, Kenya, led to the creation of the Community One Health Index (COHI).
COHI is a participatory, data-driven tool that measures health, environment, and social indicators through a community-led lens. The episode explores the value of traditional ecological knowledge, gender-responsive data collection, and integrated service delivery, especially in nomadic populations where human, animal, and environmental health are deeply intertwined.
Evan also discusses how COHI could scale through real-time dashboards and GIS mapping, helping governments and NGOs make data-informed decisions.
Whether you're in public health, veterinary care, environmental science, or policy, this episode offers actionable insight into building sustainable, inclusive One Health solutions.
🎧 Tune in to hear how community voices are transforming One Health strategy on the ground.
In this episode of One Health Wednesdays, Dr. Ginger Dixon explores the complex dynamics of foot and mouth disease (FMD), a highly contagious viral illness affecting cloven-hoofed animals. With recent outbreaks reported in China and Hungary, this timely discussion unpacks the virology, transmission pathways, and significant agricultural and economic impacts of FMD.
Dr. Dixon breaks down the science behind the foot and mouth disease virus, highlighting its rapid mutation rate, environmental resilience, and the critical role of monitoring, surveillance, and biosecurity in controlling its spread. She also examines the limitations and challenges of current vaccination strategies and reflects on the ethical complexities surrounding culling practices during outbreaks.
From the global threat posed by respiratory transmission to the vital role of cross-sector collaboration, this episode offers a clear, evidence-based overview of why FMD matters in the broader context of One Health.
Tune in to learn how proactive prevention, communication, and surveillance can help protect animal health, food systems, and global health security.
Join guest host Dr. Julia Zammit on One Health Wednesdays as she reconnects with Dr. Dauda Onawola, a field veterinarian and founder of a leading zoonosis education initiative in Nigeria.
In this powerful follow-up conversation, Dr. Onawola shares his on-the-ground experiences in wildlife health, community engagement, and youth-driven One Health advocacy.
They explore how cultural traditions and economic pressures complicate disease prevention, and how his ZED Card project—reaching over six million people—is helping close the communication gap between science and society. From antimicrobial resistance to the economics of health interventions, Dr. Onawola emphasizes why localized, bottom-up approaches are key to sustainable global health solutions.
Whether you're involved in veterinary science, public health, or development work, this episode offers real-world insight into implementing One Health principles where they matter most.
🎧Tune in to hear how African youth are leading the charge toward integrated, resilient health systems—and what the world can learn from their momentum.
In this episode of One Health Wednesdays, we welcome back Dr. Chanchal Bhattacharya, a seasoned veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in the field, and a recognized expert in One Health. Dr. Bhattacharya returns to provide a comprehensive update on avian influenza (H5N1), focusing on the crucial role of veterinarians in disease surveillance, biosecurity measures, and zoonotic disease prevention.Throughout the conversation, Dr. Bhattacharya explores the current state of avian flu outbreaks and the measures that can help mitigate their impact on both animal and human health. He stresses the importance of biosecurity in animal populations, especially in the context of poultry farming, and how robust surveillance systems are essential for real-time data collection and decision-making.Dr. Bhattacharya also discusses the ongoing challenges in combating zoonotic diseases, particularly the need for greater collaboration between veterinary and human health sectors, to strengthen global health security.This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of veterinary medicine, public health, and biosecurity. Don’t forget to subscribe and be part of the discussion!For questions about bird flu H5N1, reach out to Dr. Chanchal Bhattacharya at chanchalvph@gmail.com or Dr. Ginger Dixon at gdixon@onelifeepisolutions.com.
In this special solo episode of One Health Wednesdays, Dr. Ginger Dixon shares a heartfelt message about the current challenges facing public health, environmental health, and the broader One Health community.
With recent shifts in U.S. policy and funding, many public health professionals, advocacy groups, and communities are experiencing uncertainty and hardship. Dr. Dixon, an epidemiologist and former nurse, reflects on her journey in public health, the human side of policy changes, and the real impact on vulnerable populations. While acknowledging frustration and concern, she offers a powerful message of hope—emphasizing resilience, community support, and the strength of collective action.
Tune in to hear her perspective on how we can come together, support one another, and find innovative ways to move forward in the face of adversity.
Connect with our host:
Dr. Ginger Dixon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginger-dixon/
In this episode of One Health Wednesdays, Dr. Ginger Dixon sits down with Bolanle (Hauwa) Akanbi-Hakeem, a passionate veterinarian and advocate for One Health in Nigeria. Bolanle shares her journey from veterinary medicine to becoming a dynamic force in public health research, community education, and One Health advocacy.
Her work bridges clinical practice with public health, focusing on zoonotic disease prevention, antimicrobial resistance, and effective communication strategies within communities. She discusses the importance of building trust, using innovative education techniques, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to address global health challenges.
Tune in to learn how Bolanle’s One Health Series on LinkedIn is amplifying diverse voices, promoting sustainable practices, and inspiring the next generation of health advocates.
Connect with our host and guest:
Dr. Ginger Dixon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginger-dixon/
Bolanle (Hauwa) Akanbi-HakeemLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bolanle-akanbi-hakeem/
In this episode ofOne Health Wednesdays, we welcome back Dr. Laura Kahn—physician, policy researcher, and co-founder of the One Health Initiative. Dr. Kahn discusses her latest book,One Health and the Politics of COVID-19, sharing insights on the intersections of science, politics, and public trust. From the origins of pandemics to the role of One Health in global sustainability, she unpacks the importance of ethical research, transparency, and the need for cross-disciplinary collaboration. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on the future of science and policy in a rapidly evolving world.
Connect with our host and guest:
Dr. Ginger Dixon
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginger-dixon/
Dr. Laura Kahn
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-kahn-79b01510/
Book:https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/12713/one-health-and-politics-covid-19
In this thought-provoking episode of One Health Wednesdays, Ginger Dixon sits down with Dr. Troy Tassier, Professor of Economics at Fordham University and author of The Rich Flee and The Poor Take the Bus. Dr. Tassier shares his unique insights into how social networks influence public health outcomes and the economic dynamics of health inequalities. From his early research on labor market segregation to modeling infectious disease spread in hospitals, Dr. Tassier discusses how economic principles can drive better health policies and pandemic preparedness. Tune in to explore how economic and social structures shape our health landscape.
Connect with our host and guest:
Dr. Ginger Dixon
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginger-dixon/
Dr. Troy Tassier
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-tassier-19738748/
Book: https://troytassier.com/
In this inspiring episode, Ginger Dixon welcomes Matthew Petrolo, a second-year undergraduate student in the innovative One Health program at the University of Guelph. Matthew shares his journey from discovering One Health to specializing in disease complexity and discusses the program's interdisciplinary approach to addressing global health challenges. Tune in to explore how students like Matthew are shaping the future of One Health and why this emerging field is more critical than ever.
Connect with our hosts:
Matthew Petrolo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-petrolo-1bb60a2b3/
Dr. Ginger Dixon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginger-dixon/
In this episode, we tie together insights from the past three weeks of discussions with Dr. Ginger Dixon and guest host Dr. Julia Zammit. Explore how Ginger’s groundbreaking capstone project integrates citizen science into a scalable One Health surveillance system. From engaging citizen scientists to addressing biodiversity hotspots and zoonotic disease trends, this episode highlights key takeaways, lessons learned, and the future potential of One Health surveillance. Whether you're a public health professional, ecologist, or city planner, you'll find actionable insights to enhance community health and biodiversity conservation.
Connect with our hosts:
Dr. Julia Zammit LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjulia-zammit/
Dr. Ginger Dixon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginger-dixon/
One Health Surveillance Dashboard: https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/ginger.dixon/viz/OneHealthSurveillance-Arizona/Story1
In this episode of One Health Wednesdays, Dr. Ginger Dixon and guest host Dr. Julia Zammit dive into the details of a scalable One Health surveillance system designed to empower local communities. Ginger shares insights from her proof-of-concept project in Arizona, which integrates citizen science, strategic planning, and data visualization to track biodiversity, zoonotic diseases, and environmental changes.
Learn about the challenges and creative solutions behind building a low-cost, adaptable platform that connects local needs with global One Health goals. Whether you're a public health professional, researcher, or community advocate, this episode offers practical inspiration for making One Health surveillance accessible to all.
Connect with our hosts:
Dr. Julia Zammit LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjulia-zammit/
Dr. Ginger Dixon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginger-dixon/
One Health Surveillance Dashboard: https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/ginger.dixon/viz/OneHealthSurveillance-Arizona/Story1
One Health Wednesdays continues its mission to elevate One Health discussions, this time diving deeper into the incredible work of our host, Dr. Ginger Dixon. In this episode, Ginger takes center stage to share her journey through her Doctorate in Public Health and the development of her innovative Capstone project—a One Health surveillance system designed to empower community action.
This scalable system integrates citizen science with ecological data to track biodiversity hotspots, keystone species, zoonotic diseases, and climate variables, all in one cohesive platform. Ginger explains how her project creates accessible and affordable solutions for resource-limited communities, enabling effective monitoring and response to public health challenges.
Throughout the conversation, Ginger emphasizes the system's practical applications—from visualizing environmental changes to aiding in conservation efforts and zoonotic disease prevention. She also explores the impact of climate factors and human activities on the health of ecosystems and discusses her plans for expanding the platform's capabilities. Whether you're a public health professional or just passionate about sustainability and community health, this episode is full of thought-provoking insights.
Connect with our hosts:
Dr. Julia Zammit LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjulia-zammit/
Dr. Ginger Dixon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginger-dixon/
One Health Surveillance Dashboard: https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/ginger.dixon/viz/OneHealthSurveillance-Arizona/Story1
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One Health Wednesdays is back after a year hiatus, continuing its mission to spotlight impactful work in One Health. This season opener features Dr. Julia Zammit as guest host, giving our regular host, Dr. Ginger Dixon, a chance to sit in the expert chair and share her own story and recent achievements. Ginger dives into her groundbreaking doctoral capstone project, where she developed a scalable One Health surveillance system using citizen science. Her platform brings together biodiversity hotspots, keystone species, zoonotic diseases, and climate events in one accessible system, designed to empower communities and policymakers alike.
Throughout the episode, Ginger highlights the real-world applications of her work—from conservation prioritization to disease trend monitoring—and discusses where advancements in AI and citizen science are poised to take One Health surveillance in the future. This episode offers insights not only for those in the field but for anyone interested in how innovative tools can drive public health and environmental solutions.
Connect with our hosts:
Dr. Julia Zammit LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjulia-zammit/
Dr. Ginger Dixon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginger-dixon/
Capstone: https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/ginger.dixon/viz/GingerDixonDrPHCapstone2024/Story1
One Health Wednesdays highlights work in One Health to encourage awareness, solutions, and professional development. Janelle Jiminez and Kayley McCubbin are champions of One Health through the University of Calgary’s AMR - One Health Consortium. They share how the Consortium provides outreach, training, and a chance for One Health projects to take their research further to communicate to the public, change policy and spark innovation in industry. Janelle and Kayley share their recommendations from their winding journeys into One Health as well as opportunities for professionals to connect through informal and formal learning experiences such as the One Health Summer Institute.
Janelle Jimenez LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janelle-jiminez-87859713/
Kayley McCubbin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayley-mccubbin/
University of Calgary AMR – One Health Consortium: https://research.ucalgary.ca/amr
One Health Summer Institute: https://research.ucalgary.ca/one-health/training/one-health-summer-institute