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Development of the Competencies for One Health Field Epidemiology (COHFE) Framework

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Field epidemiology training programs (FETPs) are crucial for preparing the health workforce to prevent, detect and respond to infectious disease outbreaks and other health challenges. Still, most programs currently train either public health or animal health epidemiologists, with very few programs working across both sectors and even fewer that include the environment sector or wildlife. The Competencies for One Health Field Epidemiology (COHFE) framework addresses the increasing and urgent need to strengthen collaboration among the public health, animal health and environment sectors to tackle health threats at the human-animal-environment interface. Under joint development by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH – founded as OIE), the COHFE framework defines the core One Health, optional One Health, and sector-specific knowledge, skills, and competencies for field epidemiologists. This framework is accompanied by manuals focusing on guidance for One Heath field epidemiology curriculum development, continuing education, mentorship, and learning evaluation and certification.