Enhancing community health: Veterinary services for underserved areas in Costa Rica with a One Health Approach

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Public Health
• One Health Initiative
• Community-Based Interventions

Background:

• Underserved regions in Costa Rica face limited access to veterinary care for companion animals.
• The absence of companion animal veterinary services negatively impacts animal welfare and public health.
• Existing health models often overlook the critical role of companion animals in community well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and evaluate a community veterinary service model in underserved areas of Costa Rica.
• To emphasize a One Health approach, integrating animal, human, and environmental health.
• To improve comprehensive care for companion animals, including preventive, therapeutic, and surgical medicine.

Main Methods:

• Development and deployment of community-based veterinary services.
• Application of the One Health framework to address interconnected health issues.
• Collaborative strategies involving local communities and veterinary professionals.

Main Results:

• Enhanced access to preventive, therapeutic, and surgical veterinary care for companion animals.
• Demonstrated positive impacts on animal welfare and public health outcomes.
• Strengthened understanding of the human-animal-environment health nexus in vulnerable populations.

Conclusions:

• Community veterinary services are essential for improving health in underserved areas.
• The One Health approach effectively addresses complex health challenges by integrating animal, human, and environmental factors.
• This pioneering strategy offers a scalable model for enhancing well-being in resource-limited settings.