🌍 Facilitating Equity in Global One Health Events – New Open Access Publication

Global One Health conferences, workshops and forums are essential platforms for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and career development. They bring together professionals across human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health to tackle complex global challenges. However, in practice, many of these events do not live up to the One Health principles of equity, inclusion and meaningful participation.

Our recent study, published in CABI One Health, examines the barriers and facilitators to participation in global One Health events. Drawing on a large, multi-language international survey, the results reveal that 61% of respondents encountered barriers to participation. Gender emerged as a significant factor, with women considerably more likely to face these challenges. Among the most commonly reported barriers were costs, visa requirements, and caring responsibilities, while funding support and the option to participate online were identified as the most effective measures to enhance inclusion.

The analysis highlights that equity does not occur automatically, it must be intentionally embedded in event design through gender-responsive, context-specific, and measurable strategies. Only through such intentional approaches can One Health events fully support collaboration across disciplines, sectors, and regions.

To strengthen inclusivity over time, organisers should monitor and evaluate the impact of their equity initiatives. Approaches like longitudinal studies, participant feedback, and co-created evaluation criteria can ensure that events continually improve and adapt to the needs of under-represented groups.

A heartfelt thank you goes to all authors whose expertise and collaboration contributed to this study: Gina Chen, Anuradhi Dulangi Jayasinghe, Aashima Auplish, Luria Leslie Founou, Lilian W. Waiboci, Kim Laura Weiszhar, Andrea Sylvia Winkler, Katie Woolaston, Cat McGillycuddy, and Rebecca Maudling. We also sincerely thank all study participants for sharing their experiences, which made this research and its recommendations possible.

📖 Read the full paper here: https://doi.org/10.1079/cabionehealth.2025.0038