How does One Health fit into current academic frameworks? Insights from a SWOT analysis by the North America One Health University Network

Amanda M Berrian^1*James Ferrara¹Alice Matos¹K. Paige Carmichael²Christopher W Woods³Siddhartha Thakur⁴Tracey Goldstein⁵

• ¹College of Veterinary Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus, United States
• ²University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, Athens, United States
• ³Departments of Medicine and Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
• ⁴Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
• ⁵One Health Institute, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States

Introduction: One Health (OH) has gained support by health organizations, academics, and policymakers worldwide. To advance the approach across its broad use categories, workforce development has been a focus area, resulting in many versions of recommendations for OH core competencies and a multitude of training programs at various learner levels. Questions remain about strengths (and weaknesses) of available programs and employment prospects for graduates. Methods: At the inaugural meeting of the North America One Health University Network (NAOHUN) in 2024, over 90 university and partner agency representatives discussed these questions through a workshop-based SWOT analysis, describing strengths (S), weaknesses (W), opportunities (O), and threats (T) facing OH education programs. Participants were grouped according to the program type offered by their organization: professional, graduate, undergraduate, micro-credential, non-degree program, as well as no current offering. Participants recorded their inputs on a collaborative web-based platform which were then exported and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Discussions helped to elucidate internal and external factors that both help and hinder the design and delivery of OH education. Insights indicate that the number and diversity of OH educational programs have increased over time as has the interest from prospective trainees. Challenges remain, however, in program administration, maintaining collaborations, and marketing of skills to employers. Conclusion: These discussions will help to ensure sustainability and relevance of OH training programs. With the launch of NAOHUN, these insights will provide strategic direction for establishing universally accepted OH education competencies and other priority initiatives for network members.