ePO 44 – One health literacy framework: proposal for community awareness and multisectoral collaborations for a better planet
Margarida Simões*1, JoãoTiago Marques*2, Ireneia Lino3, Ana Carolina Abrantes4, Fernando Capela e Silva5, Rita Payan-Carreira1
1 Dept. Medicina Veterinária, ECT, Universidade de Évora & Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), 2 The Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development (MED), 3 Unidade Cuidados Continuados, Évora, 4 Dept. Medicina Veterinária, ECT, Universidade de Évora & CECAV, 5 Dept. de Ciências Médicas e da Saúde, ESDH, Universidade de Évora & MED
Introduction:Zoonotic diseases remain major public health challenges given human, animal and environmental health interconnectedness. Animal and forestry husbandry and high consumption of traditional pork products increase exposure to zoonotic pathogens, as Hepatitis E virus (HEV). One Health (OH) approaches to health literacy are essential to mitigate risks while safeguarding ecosystems and cultural practices.
Description:We propose a OH Literacy Framework, entailing multidisciplinary and community-based strategies. It integrates public health, social and veterinary sciences and environmental management, emphasising engagement by researchers, local communities, hunters, food producers, healthcare professionals and environmental agencies.
Results: Framework application identified critical awareness gaps on zoonotic risks, safe food handling and ecological consequences. Three target groups were identified: (i) professionals at occupational risk, (ii) consumers with traditional dietary practices, (iii) educators and youth. Culturally sensitive interventions foster transmission pathways understanding and shared responsibility.
Discussion:OH literacy interventions enable effective risk communication and behavioural change (Figure 1). Evaluation includes knowledge assessments, behavioural indicators and participatory feedback. A HEV-based framework links human health with animal health and ecosystem integrity, addressing disease prevention, sustainability and biodiversity conservation. Community participation ensures relevance and impact.
Conclusion:Literacy is a cornerstone of OH capacity building, supporting informed decision-making and risk reduction at individual, community and professional levels. This framework offers a practical multisectoral model showing collaborative governance advantages. OH literacy prompts zoonotic disease prevention including outbreak preparedness, sustainable animal production and rural livelihoods, and the protection of healthy ecosystems.
