Four research proposals have been selected as the inaugural projects for a new One Health research program in South-East Asia.
The ACIAR/IDRC Research Program on One Health (AIRPOH) is a new co-investment between ACIAR and Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC) that will form a portfolio of interconnected projects aiming to have a transformational impact on human, animal and environmental health.
With an initial combined investment of AUD$4.3 million, the program's first phase called for research proposals from across South-East Asia, with 4 selected following a rigorous selection process.
The successful research proposals include:
- Cambodia: The role of agricultural and forest landscapes on human and environmental health in Cambodia - Royal University of Agriculture.
- Indonesia, Laos, Philippines: Livestock Enhancement through EcoHealth/One Health Assessment in South-East Asia - Institut Pertanian Bogor University, National University of Laos, and the University of the Philippines Los Banos.
- Philippines: Policy support to the Philippines' National Surveillance and Control Programs for African Swine Fever, Avian Influenza and Antimicrobial Resistance: A One Health Systems Approach to Animal Food Security, Public Health Resiliency and Environment Sustainability - University of the Philippines Los Banos
- Timor-Leste: Developing strategies to reduce brucellosis transmission in Timor-Leste based on One Health collaboration - Menzies School of Health Research
The accepted proposals will now proceed to contracting with research to commence within the year and scheduled to run through to 2025.
ACIAR Research Program Manager, Livestock Systems, Dr Anna Okello said the successful research proposals and subsequent projects will help promote One Health thinking within agrifood systems across South-East Asia.
'One Health recognises that the health of humans, animals and the broader environment in which we all coexist are inherently linked,' said Dr Okello.
'This new program will engage national experts across 5 countries in South-East Asia to promote new ideas and thinking around applying One Health approaches to benefit human, animal and environmental health.'
'I was thoroughly impressed with the level of research proposals we received from across the region, and I'd like to thank all those who submitted their ideas to be considered for funding.'
'Special congratulations to the research teams from the Royal University of Agriculture in Cambodia, the University of the Philippines, the National University of Laos, Bogor Agricultural Institute in Indonesia and the Menzies School of Health Research for their successful applications.'
AIRPOH is the latest co-investment initiative between ACIAR and IDRC, following the launch of a Food Loss Research Program in June. ACIAR and IDCR have been successfully collaborating to invest in and support international agricultural research for development since 2013.
Learn more via the ACIAR website.
