Originally published: July 2025
Human health is closely linked to the well-being of animals and the environment. That connection is the foundation of One Health, a globally-recognized approach that brings together local, state and national partners to work together in keeping people, animals and ecosystems healthy.
San Joaquin County Public Health Services (SJCPHS) is embracing this model, officially kicking off its One Health initiative on June 9, 2025, in Stockton, California, in partnership with the California Department of Public Health's
Regional Public Health Office (RPHO) and
Center for Environmental Health (CEH).
The idea was sparked earlier this year when SJCPHS Health Officer Dr. Maggie Park attended the Greater Sierra Sacramento (GSS) One Health Regional Collaboration initiative's inaugural convening. Witnessing how the GSS region was building cross-sector partnerships, Dr. Park realized that San Joaquin could benefit from the same approach.
Inspired by that convening, she brought One Health back to San Joaquin, inviting state and local leaders from multiple disciplines — including emergency services, vector control, animal control, environmental health and veterinary medicine — to collaborate on public health challenges in a more connected way. As she put it simply, “We need to work together to find ways toward a healthier San Joaquin."
Bringing the Right People Together
The kickoff event, coordinated by RPHO, CEH and SJPHS, gathered 36 attendees from multiple sectors, all committed to improving health outcomes through collaboration. Following opening remarks, the day's agenda included state and local experts sharing real-world examples of One Health in action, including San Joaquin's coordinated H5N1 response. Participants engaged in breakout discussions to identify priorities, build connections, and map out next steps.
Dr. Caroline Kurtz, RPHO Deputy Director, stressed that trust-based relationships are central to One Health's success. "CDPH deeply values the longstanding dedication, expertise and frontline leadership of local public health agencies, environmental health professionals, veterinarians, emergency responders and community organizations," she said. "This collaboration is a testament to the strong partnerships that already exist and an opportunity to deepen them even further."
One Health isn't just another siloed effort — it's about integrating solutions across sectors so communities can respond more effectively. "Our commitment is that we will be intentional in bringing the right people together," Dr. Kurtz said. “We're committed to listening, learning and taking action alongside local partners to improve the health of our people, animals and environment."
It's About Relationships and Alignment, Not Geography
San Joaquin County isn't doing this alone. Starting this fall, they'll join the GSS One Health Regional Collaboration convenings, solidifying their role in an ongoing cross-regional collaboration that bridges counties and sectors.
Dr. Phuong Luu, Bi-County Health Officer for Yuba County and Sutter County, and a member of the GSS One Health Regional Collaboration's steering committee, emphasized that partnerships are built on alignment and shared priorities, not geographic boundaries. "Even though San Joaquin isn't traditionally considered part of GSS, they are a valued partner and will always be welcome in this collaboration," Dr. Luu said.
Dr. Luu also highlighted the importance of eliminating duplication of efforts across counties, making collaboration more efficient. "How can we share best practices across regions so that we're not duplicating efforts another county has already figured out? How can we start that framework now?" At the same time, she acknowledged that regional public health efforts are facing increasing challenges, making collaboration more critical than ever. "We know we're entering some headwinds," Dr. Luu said. “It will be more important than ever to work smarter, not harder."
One Health in Action
Dr. Kim Conway, CDPH's CEH One Health lead and board-certified veterinarian in preventive medicine, explained how this initiative changes the way agencies work together. "One Health is a collaborative effort among different disciplines working together. The health of people, animals, and the environment are connected, and we can use that understanding to create strategies that work for all," she said.
She encouraged attendees to challenge traditional ways of thinking about public health, saying, "One thing I hope you take away from today is a new lens, recognizing that animal health is public health and environmental health is public health. We are all working towards the same goal." “Thinking about how we can incorporate this perspective into our work, such as ensuring local cooling centers welcome both people and their pets," Dr. Conway said, pointing to a real-world application, "that's One Health in action.
Continuing to Grow
Attendees shared how they're already inspired to reshape their work, breaking down barriers between agencies and sectors. "One Health helps us get out of our silos," one noted. Others pointed to the reassurance of an official, unified effort, saying, "It's nice to know this is an agency-driven activity — there are common threads that bring us together and we're not in this alone."
By joining with RPHO and the GSS One Health initiative, San Joaquin County is strengthening multi-sector partnerships, improving cross-regional coordination, and bringing experts together to tackle public health challenges in a more connected and practical way.
"One Health is bigger than public health," Dr. Park said. "It's nice to know we will have partners in this and continue to grow."
Images courtesy of: CDPH
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