Enhancing Veterinary Education for Sustainable Development: Evaluating Awareness and Integrating One Health in Higher Education
摘要
The global increase in pet populations, driven by sociocultural changes that integrate pets as family members, presents new challenges for public health. The growth of urban areas combined with rising pet ownership intensifies pressures on the One Health framework, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of environmental, animal, and human health. This paper evaluates the level of awareness among veterinarians regarding Sustainable Development and the One Health approach, while also exploring the role of higher education in enhancing veterinary professionals’ contributions to a sustainable and resilient society. The study was conducted with faculty members from a prominent veterinary higher education institution in Brazil. The findings suggest that although veterinarians are aware of the One Health concept, their familiarity with Sustainable Development and their significance for promoting a sustainable society is limited. Given that veterinary practitioners are uniquely positioned to address One Health challenges, the study recommends that veterinary curricula be expanded to include education on sustainable development. Future research should explore the nexus between health, food, water, and energy security to better inform strategies that promote sustainable development and societal resilience.