TRENTON, N.J. — Governor Phil Murphy has proclaimed November 3, 2025, as One Health Day in New Jersey, joining an international effort to highlight the interconnectedness of human, animal, plant, and environmental health.
Observed annually on November 3, One Health Day is promoted by organizations such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and encourages collaboration among experts to address issues that span multiple disciplines.
This year, New Jersey marks One Health Day with notable progress. The state became the first in the nation to pass legislation creating a One Health initiative. The New Jersey One Health Task Force, formed earlier this year, held its first meeting in February and approved the One Health Strategic Plan in May.
“New Jersey’s agricultural industry sits at the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health,” said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn. “By working across state departments, we’re recognizing how important it is to maintain balance among all three. It’s important to recognize that our communities stay healthy when our environment and farms are healthy too.”
“From monitoring West Nile virus in mosquito populations to tracking bird flu in wildlife, New Jersey’s One Health approach allows us to detect and respond to threats early,” said Acting New Jersey Health Commissioner Jeff Brown. “By bringing together our veterinary, environmental, and public health experts, we’ve built a stronger defense against emerging health threats that helps us stop them before they reach our communities. This integrated model makes New Jersey a national leader in preventing tomorrow’s health emergencies today.”
“Partnerships are at the heart of the Murphy Administration’s commitment on multiple fronts to enhance quality of life across communities, protect public health, and to ensure a pristine environment for future generations,” said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. “One Health Day in New Jersey underscores these initiatives by recognizing that when we all work together, the entire state benefits.”
The New Jersey One Health Task Force (NJOHTF) includes representatives from the Departments of Environmental Protection, Health, and Agriculture, along with 10 public members appointed for their expertise in fields such as veterinary medicine, human health, and environmental science. The task force works to strengthen interdisciplinary research, promote data accessibility, and develop strategies to identify and respond to health threats that affect people, animals, plants, and ecosystems.
The NJOHTF is required to produce an annual report for the governor and legislature with recommendations to improve, promote, and protect health statewide.
Residents are encouraged to participate in One Health Day by sharing social media posts using the hashtags #OneHealth, #NJOneHealth, and #OneHealthDay.
The next quarterly public meeting of the NJOHTF will take place on November 21, 2025, at 10 a.m. in Trenton and virtually via Microsoft Teams. More information about the meeting and New Jersey’s One Health efforts is available at OneHealth.NJ.gov and through the One Health Strategic Plan.
Additional details about the global One Health initiative can be found on the CDC’s website at cdc.gov/one-health.
