One Health Award and Plantable Bookmarks for Sustainability

A Pillar of Public and Veterinary Health

Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Teramo (IZS) is a public research institution that supports Italy’s National Health Service. With over 10 locations across Abruzzo and Molise, IZS specializes in veterinary public health. Prevention and control of animal diseases are crucial, as many of them have direct implications for human health, especially in a public health context. The institute plays a key role in monitoring and managing zoonoses (diseases transmissible from animals to humans), ensuring food safety, and protecting biodiversity.

Founded with the goal of ensuring a safer and more efficient healthcare system, IZS leverages state-of-the-art laboratories for epidemiological research and collaborates with national and international institutions to develop disease prevention strategies. Thanks to its 600 collaborators, the institute contributes not only to animal welfare but also to human health and environmental conservation, concepts that are closely interconnected in the modern public health approach.

One Health Award: Towards a Healthier and More Sustainable Future

The One Health Award is a prestigious recognition celebrating projects and initiatives that promote the integrated health approach known as One Health One Earth. This concept highlights the importance of joining forces across human, animal, and environmental health, acknowledging their deep interconnection.

The One Health Awards are presented annually to individuals, research teams, or organizations that stand out for their contributions to global public health through interdisciplinary projects. The event provides an opportunity to reflect on how science and innovation can address health challenges such as pandemics, climate change, food safety, and biodiversity protection. It is not only a moment to recognize excellence but also to raise awareness of the importance of this integrated approach for the future of our planet.

The 2024 Edition: One Health Award “Frontier Africa”

The One Health One Earth approach teaches us that there is one health for the entire planet. This is why what happens in Africa concerns us more closely than it may seem. For years, IZS Teramo has been promoting cooperation projects in Africa and is also the driving force behind Erfan – Enhancing Research for Africa Network, a collaboration network involving 19 partner countries and 37 institutions, including central veterinary laboratories and veterinary faculties. This collaborative approach led to the creation of Silabfa (Silab for Africa), an information system supporting laboratory diagnostics, now used by over 80 laboratories in 30 countries.

The One Health Award 2024 aims to celebrate innovative projects focused on the integrated approach to human, animal, and environmental health in Africa. The award recognizes initiatives addressing challenges such as zoonotic disease control, biodiversity conservation, and food security. In a continent as diverse as Africa, marked by extraordinary biodiversity and complex health challenges, the focus is on projects that enhance zoonotic disease surveillance, promote sustainable agricultural practices, and support local wildlife conservation. Achieving these goals requires reducing human-animal conflicts through education and conservation initiatives.

Blooming Bookmarks: The Charm of Plantable Paper

A culture of environmental respect starts with small actions. That’s why Mirus, a Rome-based communication agency, together with Mastergrafica, a communication agency from Teramo, has selected Plantable Bookmarks. Made from special paper, these plantable paper bookmarks contain seeds that can be planted once the bookmark is no longer in use. A perfect blend of aesthetics and ecological functionality: the paper is printed with eco-friendly inks and allows users to grow wildflowers or aromatic herbs.

The plantable paper is produced using eco-friendly methods and enriched with carefully selected seeds, ready to sprout when exposed to soil, water, and sunlight. The growth process is simple: just plant the bookmark in a pot or directly in a garden, water it, and wait for the plants to grow. This solution transforms an everyday object into a lasting experience, offering the opportunity to cultivate beauty and nature.

The benefits of plantable paper are numerous: it not only reduces waste but also promotes biodiversity and interaction with nature. The seeds used for the One Health Award bookmarks include colorful wildflowers, enhancing the environment and adding a touch of nature to everyday life.