The Need To Include Animal Protection In Public Health Policies
This opinion piece argues that while improving the treatment of animals in not on the radar of public health officials, it should be. The author points to the intersection between animal welfare and emerging infectious diseases, as well as two other less commonly acknowledged connections: 1) medical research (namely the poor predictability of animal testing), and 2) domestic violence (given its frequent connection to animal abuse). The author offers suggestions for improving public health strategies to take these concerns into account.
[Abstract excerpted from original source.]
“Many critical public health issues require non-traditional approaches. Although many novel strategies are used, one approach not widely applied involves improving the treatment of animals. Emerging infectious diseases are pressing public health challenges that could benefit from improving the treatment of animals. Other human health issues, that overlap with animal treatment issues, and that warrant further exploration, are medical research and domestic violence. The diverse nature of these health issues and their connection with animal treatment suggest that there may be other similar intersections. Public health would benefit by including the treatment of animals as a topic of study and policy development.”