Council on Public Health
The Council on Public Health provides expert advice and consultation on issues related to safeguarding animal and public health.
policy
UNDER REVIEWVeterinary opportunities in CDC public health training programs
The AVMA encourages the CDC to continue to provide opportunities for veterinarians and veterinary students in CDC’s public health training programs.…
policy
Public health and regulatory veterinary medicine continuing education
State and local associations, colleges, and departments of veterinary science should include in CE programs a representative offering of subjects on…
AVMA Public Service Award
This award honors an AVMA member veterinarian for outstanding public service or unusual contributions to public health and regulatory veterinary…
AVMA news
AVMA recognizes Granger for public service
Dr. Larry M. Granger accepted the AVMA Public Service Award at a reception Aug. 1 following the AVMA Global Health Summit at AVMA Convention 2022 in…
policy
Compendium of measures to prevent disease associated with animals in public settings
The AVMA endorses the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians' 2017 Compendium of Measures to Prevent Disease Associated with…
JAVMA news
Triage follows deep cuts
Public health departments, battered by budget cuts, are reducing services and employing fewer people, including veterinarians.
policy
UNDER REVIEWVeterinary involvement in marine mammal health and welfare
The AVMA encourages the use of appropriately experienced and qualified veterinarians to optimize the health and welfare of marine mammals.
policy
Therapeutic pet food health claims
The FDA uses enforcement discretion in overseeing certain pet food claims. While many of these could legally be considered drugs, certain claims are…
policy
UNDER REVIEWEnvironmental responsibility is a One Health issue
The AVMA supports environmental responsibility, including these specific measures.
AVMA news
Veterinary college programs to address cross-species health risks
The veterinary schools at the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell University recently added programs designed to improve collaboration in work to…
blog
Streamline Pet Dental Health Month with AVMA tools
February is National Pet Dental Health Month. AVMA’s pet dental health toolkit is available free of charge to all AVMA members and will let you…
policy
UNDER REVIEWAddressing the role of veterinary medicine in human health care following catastrophes involving mass human casualty
AVMA encourages authorities to address licensing, liability, policy and other issues to adequately recognize and validate the opportunity and benefits…
policy
UNDER REVIEWAccredited veterinarian utilization and program resources
USDA-accredited veterinarians are vital to animal and public health.
policy
Support for veterinary extension and outreach services
Veterinary extension and outreach services play a vital role to protect the health and wellbeing of animals, contribute to public health, and…
policy
Approval and availability of antimicrobials for use in food-producing animals
The availability and effectiveness of antimicrobials, including medically important antimicrobials, are important to support the health and welfare of…
policy
Healthy People 2030
The Healthy People initiative is a 10-year strategy that identifies public health objectives and tools for improving our nation's health. The AVMA is…
policy
Rabies
Rabies is almost invariably fatal for animals and humans. Vaccination of animals is a critical step in preventing infection and protecting public…
policy
Annual rabies vaccination waiver
Waivers of rabies vaccination should only be issued with approval from the appropriate public health authorities upon recommendation from a licensed…
policy
Livestock identification and animal traceability
Permanent, unique identification of animals and premises is essential for tracing origin and destination of livestock to protect the nation’s…
policy
Veterinarians practicing aquatic animal medicine
Aquatic animal veterinarians in the U.S. care for animals and protect public health, diagnosing disease, performing surgery, evaluating and…
policy
Free-roaming abandoned and feral cats
The AVMA encourages collaborative efforts to identify humane and effective alternatives to the destruction of healthy cats for animal control…
JAVMA news
West Nile outbreak on track to being worst in US history
By early September, public health officials had declared this year’s outbreak of West Nile was shaping up to be the worst since the flavivirus
policy
Compendium of veterinary standard precautions for zoonotic disease prevention in veterinary personnel
The AVMA endorses the Compendium of Veterinary Standard Precautions for Zoonotic Disease Prevention in Veterinary Personnel developed by the National…
policy
Vaccination principles
Vaccines have been proven highly efficacious and beneficial to the health of veterinary patients, as well as the general public. Decisions about…