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…
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 REVIEWEnvironmental responsibility is a One Health issue
The AVMA supports environmental responsibility, including these specific measures.
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
Limited prohibition on extralabel drug use
Any regulatory prohibition of extralabel drug use in animals should be science-based and as limited in scope as possible, consistent with protecting…
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…
policy
Restriction of veterinary biologics to veterinarians' use
The AVMA supports USDA efforts to restrict all veterinary biologics used in disease control programs, those with high incidence of reactions, and…
JAVMA news
MyVeterinarian.com clicks with clinics
More than 11,000 veterinary clinics have registered with MyVeterinarian.com, the AVMA's new online directory that allows the public to search for…
policy
Tuberculosis Eradication in Bovidae and Cervidae in the United States
The AVMA urges the USDA to continue partnering with public and private agencies and stakeholders to respond to, control, and eliminate tuberculosis in…
JAVMA news
Spreading the one-health concept
A movement is promoting the one-health concept—that human, animal, and ecosystem health intertwine to make "one health"
AVMA Fellowship Program
The AVMA Fellowship Program is an unparalleled opportunity to shape public policy while enhancing your knowledge of the political process.