Dr. Phaedra Henley

The University of Global Health Equity‘s (UGHE) One Health Field School (OHFS) in Rwanda exemplifies an experiential approach to education that integrates human, animal, and environmental health. This field-based program engages students in real-world settings such as abattoirs, health centers, and mining sites to confront pressing public health issues, from zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance to food safety and environmental health. Following Kolb's experiential learning model, OHFS equips graduate students to observe, analyze, and apply solutions to complex health challenges, fostering adaptability, resilience, and collaborative problem-solving skills. By bridging classroom theory with practical application, OHFS cultivates leadership and a holistic understanding of health, preparing graduates to navigate the interconnected global health landscape. Through this innovative approach, UGHE aims to train a generation of health professionals capable of addressing crises such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and emerging infectious diseases at the human–animal–environment interface. Paper Context Main findings: The University of Global Health Equity’s One Health Field School effectively integrates experiential learning with interdisciplinary collaboration to prepare students for complex global health challenges. By engaging students in real-world settings, the program fosters adaptability, resilience, and leadership in addressing interconnected health issues at the human-animal-environment interface. Added knowledge: The One Health Field School bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration at the human–animal–environment interface. It builds capacity in future global health professionals to design and implement solutions for real-world health challenges, demonstrating the critical value of field-based, experiential learning in higher education. Global health impact for policy and action: The One Health Field School serves as a model for interdisciplinary education, promoting an integrated One Health approach. It informs global health policies by emphasizing the importance of equipping professionals with practical skills and holistic perspectives to address emerging health crises such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and food security.

The Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak in Rwanda underscores the serious threat posed by zoonotic diseases. These pathogens, which are transmitted between animals and humans through direct contact or environmental factors, result in an estimated 2.4 billion infections and 2.2 million deaths annually1. MVD, which originates from bats, can spread rapidly to humans, with a fatality rate as high as 88%2. As of 10 October 2024, Rwanda has 58 confirmed cases of MVD, including 15 deaths3. This crisis highlights the urgent need for Rwanda to fully operationalize its One Health policy to address the interconnected risks of human, animal and environmental health. Outbreaks of MVD occur when humans are in contact with infected animals, including green monkeys, pigs and Egyptian fruit bats, which are known carriers of the virus2,4. After zoonotic spillover (when the virus transmits from animals to humans), it can spread between humans through bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces such as bedding2. While isolating cases and implementing public health measures are crucial, preventing future outbreaks requires an integrated One Health approach to mitigate the risks of MVD and other zoonotic diseases. One Health is more than just a buzzword — it is a strategic approach that links human, animal and environmental health to address interconnected challenges. It acknowledges that disease spread is not isolated; in cases like MVD, the health of animals directly affects human wellbeing. One Health emphasizes that no single sector (medical, veterinary or environmental) can effectively tackle the crisis alone.