Veterinarians warn Congress about dangers of veterinary shortage

Public health jeopardized by too few veterinarians

“Veterinarians are uniquely positioned to view health through the lens of public health impact and to understand how human and animal health interact. if we don’t address the shortage of veterinarians and lack of capacity in veterinary schools soon, we’ll find ourselves dangerously underprepared and ill-equipped to deal with future public health threats.”

AVMA officials recently testified in separate hearings to explain the harmful consequences of too few veterinarians working in public health and to encourage congressional support for initiatives shoring up the low supply of veterinary manpower.

On Jan. 23, Dr. Ron DeHaven, AVMA executive vice president, was one of four veterinarians to appear before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health to speak in support of the Veterinary Public Health Workforce Expansion Act. Dr. DeHaven said a national shortage of veterinarians is putting the food supply at risk and could hinder efforts to prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases.

Then on Feb. 7, AVMA President Gregory S. Hammer testified before the House Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry about how the delay in implementing the National Veterinary Medical Service Act—another measure aimed at solving the veterinary shortage—is putting U.S. economic health and food safety in jeopardy.

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