Using a One Health Model: Healthy Village-Healthy Forest

Abstract The One Health model defines important connections between the health of humans, animals and ecosystems. While One Health models are used in many areas of the world to improve health conditions and environmental stewardship, the model is most useful in guiding strategies in developing regions. As 85% of Papua New Guinea's population lives in rural and remote areas, it is clear that realistic solutions must be developed to bring health access and sustainable environmental practices to the villages. The long-term goals of the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program's Healthy Village, Healthy Forest Initiative are to connect the rural Papua New Guinea communities with improved access to government health resources, develop local capacity to provide basic health needs, and to connect the links between human, environmental and animal health such as clean water, clean air and healthy, biologically diverse forests.