Building Economic Thinking for One Health
One Health Economics is an emerging concept that is still in development. While the specific economic theories that are most relevant to One Health Economics are still uncertain, we know that these theories will build off the foundational concepts shared by all economic disciplines. Understanding these foundational concepts of economics unlocks a new and useful way of thinking about the world.
Building the capacity of communities across the region, is a core goal of the Nossal Institute for Global Health. As part of a recent trip to Cambodia, Dr McKinley, delivered a one-day training session on Economic Thinking for One Health. The General Directorate of Animal Health and Production hosted an attentive group of 30 members of the animal and human health sector.
This training is designed to build skills for non-economists to identify One Health opportunities using an “economic lens”. This was the first training on this topic conducted by the Nossal Institute. Overall, the training was worthwhile and constructive. Participants improved their understanding of One Health, particularly systems thinking in One Health, and their understanding of foundational economic concepts.
Participants reported they were already connecting opportunities to implement the knowledge gained during the session.
It is rewarding to see them connect the dots and realise they can achieve more together. It was very fulfilling to see the learners understand and apply One Health and economic concepts to relevant, real-world scenarios. I learnt from the participants that there are no shortages of One Health opportunities in Cambodia, and I am confident that this cohort of learners is more capable of identifying these opportunities after the training.
Dr McKinley.
The Nossal Institute has trained its first cohort of “economic thinkers” for One Health. We cannot wait to see them implement real change in addressing zoonoses, antimicrobial resistance and systems strengthening within the Asia Pacific.
This training was delivered as part of the COHERES project, jointly funded and supported by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security
Dr Justin McKinley is a Research Fellow at the Nossal Institute for Global Health. He is an economist with a background in agricultural, development, and environmental economics.