Abstract
Implications of including companion animals as family members in community health policy and planning
Emily Dolan1 and Brett Wyker2
(1)ASPCA, Seattle, WA, (2)ASPCA, Denver, CO
APHA 2024 Annual Meeting and Expo
Companion animals such as dogs and cats have come to be valued family members, with an estimated 70% of U.S. households caring for a pet. While many public health areas have focused on social determinants of health for human family members, the welfare of their companion animal family members and the effect on the entire family has been relegated to the separate domain of animal welfare. For example, there are nearly 6.3 million unhoused companion animals entering animal shelters yearly. Research suggests that, while the causes of companion animal homelessness are varied, at least some portion are family separation, frequently due to social determinants of community health such as inadequate housing and lack of access to health (veterinary) care. Research in animal welfare has identified several areas of human community health impacting companion animal family members. The strong interconnectedness of public health and companion animal welfare is emerging as new models and evidence are developed. We will discuss current community welfare topics traditionally thought of as exclusively relating to human health and welfare such as housing and homelessness, access to health care and disaster response to show that animal welfare issues are prevalent as social determinants of health pertaining to pet inclusive family units. We argue that policies and interventions aimed at families and communities have a direct impact on companion animals and conversely that the health and welfare of companion animals have a direct impact on the health and welfare of families and communities. Community health policy planning, development, and research that does not consider companion animals cannot have the maximum impact on human and animal welfare. Researchers must include companion animal concerns when evaluating programs, considering applicable outcomes for studies, researching social determinants of health, and assessing factors that affect families and communities. Community health planning and policy development must take into account companion animal family members. We recommend greater collaboration between the community health policy communities, health services researchers, and animal welfare organizations to better address the issues that impact communities, inclusive of the companion animals that live there.
Administration, management, leadership Other professions or practice related to public health Program planning Public health administration or related administration Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines Social and behavioral sciences