The Council for State and Territorial Epidemiologists and the CDC selected ADHS as an award recipient for the 2016 Influenza Education among Youth in Agriculture Project. This project will be conducted in collaboration between our Vector-borne and Zoonotic Disease Program, Arizona Department of Agriculture, Maricopa County Department of Public Health, and Midwestern University College of Veterinary Medicine. The project will increase education programs about zoonotic diseases and promote One Health activities for the youth of Arizona.

The main component will be a one-day One Health Camp for youth 13 to 17 years old.

Youth will become One Health leaders by gaining the knowledge and skills to prevent and respond to zoonotic diseases , as well as network with professionals involved in public health and agriculture throughout Arizona. The camp will feature presentations, jeopardy games, a panel discussion of “Arizona’s Who’s Who in One Health” with representatives from public health, animal health, environmental health agencies and other interactive activities. Participants will also have the opportunity to work together as disease detectives to solve and control disease outbreak scenarios facilitated by project staff.

Messaging about zoonotic diseases and safe and healthy practices around animals will also be developed and shared. Younger children can compete in poster and essay contests that focus on how to keep people and animals healthy when visiting petting zoos or agriculture fairs. Do you have or know a child between the ages of 7-17 years old who may be interested in becoming a One Health champion? Contact [email protected] to learn more and sign up as a participant.