The World Health Organization estimates that around 60% of all human pathogens are zoonotic (can pass from animals to people) and 75% of emerging diseases affecting people in the last decade have originated from animals. Changes in current and projected environmental conditions will further contribute to changes to both animal and human health risks. These changes will particularly affect Aboriginal communities in Australia and likely compound existing disparities. In recent times the concept of One Health (health improvement through holistic animal, human and environmental health approaches) has been promoted as a solution – particularly with Indigenous populations globally. This PhD research will investigate One Health approaches for Aboriginal communities in Australia and their contribution to health, and consider models for the future.

About Tamara

Tamara is an Aboriginal (Wiradjuri) PhD student within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health team at the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health (NCEPH). Tamara graduated as a Veterinarian through the University of Sydney and worked in the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources where she completed a Diploma of Government. She completed the Masters of Philosophy in Applied Epidemiology at the ANU in 2019, and has a Professional Certificate of Indigenous Research at the University of Melbourne. She is also an alumni of the Melbourne Poche Centre’s Leadership Fellows Program and a member of Wildlife Health Australia’s Management Committee.