By Satesh Bidaisee and Calum Macpherson

It’s hard to believe that medical researchers could underestimate the dangers of tuberculosis — the world’s deadliest infection.

Yet according to a study published by Lancet Infectious Diseases, a medical journal, one form of the disease is a far bigger threat than previously thought — animal TB.

The illness, which can be acquired through contaminated food or close contact with animals, afflicts roughly 120,000 humans around the world. It’s harder to treat than the conventional form of the disease — and is resistant to the main antibiotic used to treat TB.

Zoonotic diseases — illnesses spread between animals and humans — represent some of the most serious public-health threats the world faces. Battling them effectively will require a broader approach to human health — one that takes into account the relationship between human beings, animals, and the wider ecosystem.

Nearly 3 million people die annually of animal-borne diseases. These illnesses include everything from influenza and salmonella, to Ebola, malaria, and Zika.

In an alarming number of cases, zoonotic illnesses have led to devastating epidemics. The 2014 Ebola outbreak, for instance, is believed to have started when a bat transmitted the illness to a young boy in Guinea. The disease soon spread throughout West Africa, with cases emerging as far away as the United States. Ultimately, more than 11,000 people died.

The mosquito-borne Zika virus has infected tens of thousands of people in 73 countries and territories — including 3,800 people in the continental United States.

We haven’t seen the last of these kinds of outbreaks. Scientists estimate that nearly 75 percent of newly emerging infectious diseases will originate in animals.

Addressing the risk posed by zoonotic diseases will require an approach to global health that sees humans, animals, and the environment as deeply interconnected. Known as One Health, this holistic view calls for collaboration among experts in disciplines from veterinary medicine to public health and environmental science.

If researchers can understand the interconnected causes of zoonotic outbreaks, they’ll be better equipped to prevent the next epidemic.

Fortunately, the One Health movement is gaining traction in the public health community. USAID, for instance, has spearheaded a One Health Workforce initiative which partners with universities around the world to train future health professionals in this collaborative approach.

One Health is a guiding philosophy at St. George’s University, where I teach. Our veterinary, medical, and public health students frequently collaborate on projects and coursework, like our recent effort to control the spread of rabies on the island of Grenada by providing vaccinations and hosting community clinics.

The rise of zoonotic diseases like Zika, and animal TB shows just how interconnected animal health and human health are. To effectively combat zoonotic disease, the medical community must recognize those connections — and explore them fully.

Satesh Bidaisee is an Associate Professor of Public Health and Preventive Medicine and Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies at St. George’s University, Grenada. Calum Macpherson is the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Director of Research at St. George’s University in Grenada.

By StatePoint

Heart disease and stroke cause one in three deaths among women each year, killing approximately one woman every 80 seconds. While there are many risk factors involved that are beyond one’s control, a healthy lifestyle can make a big difference.

Here are five healthy habits that can reduce your risk for illness.

• Move about: Exercise doesn’t have to be daunting! Aim for 10-minute sessions, three times daily. Movement sets your metabolism in motion, so make sure it’s a consistent part of your life.

• Get sleep: Sleeping fewer than seven hours a night can make you gain weight and have more trouble taking it off, according to Columbia University research. Another study found that people who get enough sleep have a five percent higher metabolism than people who don’t. That means more calories burned while you’re sleeping! Doesn’t get much easier than that.

• Eat small and well: “Studies have found that losing five to 10 percent of your body weight can lower the risk of a heart attack,” says Dawn Zier, CEO of Nutrisystem and the 2017 Go Red for Women Campaign Chair in Philadelphia, a movement to help end heart disease and stroke in women.

Research suggests that eating smaller, balanced meals throughout the day promotes greater weight loss and maintenance, and can also be good for your heart. Schedule meals every two to three hours, six times a day. Programs designed to help you eat healthy portions can mean seeing quick results. For example, Nutrisystem Lean13 is a new program designed to help you lose up to 13 pounds and seven inches in the first month. For more information visit nutrisystem.com.

• Rise, shine, drink water. You’ll burn more calories all day: A German study found that drinking 48 ounces (about six cups) of cold water increased calorie burn at rest by up to 50 calories per day. This alone could melt a pound in a little more than two months. And drinking it before meals could give you an added bonus, as a Virginia Tech study found that dieters who drank two, eight-ounce glasses of water before meals for 12 weeks lost 36 percent more weight than those who didn’t down the water.

• Put your phone away: Checking your email in the morning will just stress you out. Many productivity experts recommend waiting at least an hour once you get to work before checking your inbox, so you can tackle your most important priorities calmly without getting distracted.

Be proactive. Take steps to improve your health and reduce your risk for serious illness.