Arnold School joins effort to protect minorities against diseases transmitted from animals to humans

The Arnold School of Public Health has joined a national effort to protect racial and ethnic minorities against the increasing threat of diseases transmitted from animals to humans.

Dean Donna Richter will serve as the principal investigator for the two-year project funded by a $1.2 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Others entities funded as a part of this national collaborative include the American Public Health Association and the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University.

The USC contingent will include the Institute for Partnerships to Eliminate Health Disparities, which operates under the direction of Dr. Saundra Glover, who will serve as the co-principal investigator for the project.

“The synergy between the Arnold School and the Institute for Partnerships to Eliminate Health Disparities was a key factor in motivating the Kellogg Foundation to make this award to USC,” according to Richter.  “Our previous work with the Foundation demonstrated to them our capacity to address the needs of disenfranchised population groups as we focus on the convergence of animal and public health.”

Animal-to-human transmission of disease is not a new public health issue, but it is a continuing and even escalating threat. SARS, monkeypox and West Nile virus are among scores of bacteria, viruses, and other factors that demonstrate the link between animal and human health. 

Recently, international attention has focused on the threat of avian influenza (bird flu) and the possibility of a pandemic, or worldwide outbreak of disease.

“No one can accurately predict when a pandemic might occur, but it is essential that preparedness for such an occurrence be a diligent and on-going pursuit,” said Richter.  “The funding provided by the Kellogg Foundation will allow the Arnold School to engage in this important national and even international effort while serving to highlight the unique preparedness needs of underserved populations.”
 

The threat of a pandemic influenza has served to motivate remarkable levels of international attention and cooperation as experts from around the world prepare for the possibility that the avian flu virus could spread from person to person.  

As a part of the national collaboration established by Kellogg, the USC contingent will specialize in reducing disparities in preparedness among racial and ethnic minorities.  Plans for the project are to engage minority serving institutions as partners in examining barriers to preparedness in underserved communities. 

Key partners in this effort will be representatives of the network of 1890 Land-Grant Institutions, a fundamental segment of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities. 

The Arnold School will also work in partnership with community-based organizations and local public health affiliates to ensure community-level engagement. 

The partnership with the American Public Health Association will be instrumental in engaging affiliate organizations around the country, while experts from Michigan State University will provide subject-matter expertise in addressing animal-to-human transmission of disease.

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation was established in 1930 “to help people help themselves through the practical application of knowledge and resources to improve their quality of life and that of future generations.” 

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