The ‘One Health’ Economics Summer Program, co-hosted by Yale Center Beijing and Peking University’s Institute for Global Health and Development, took place at the end of June in Mao County, Sichuan. This week-long gathering brought together students and scholars from across the globe to focus on the interdisciplinary concept of ‘One Health’ which emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.

The program featured lectures, discussions, and cultural exchanges, highlighting the importance of early interventions for long-term health. Participants engaged with local students and explored sustainable farming practices, fostering a holistic understanding of health. Professor Gordon Liu, Dean of the PKU Institute for Global Health and Development and a native of Mao County, highlighted the importance of connecting international scholars with local communities, stating, “This exchange broadens horizons and leaves a lasting impact on everyone involved.”

Among the featured presenters was Yale School of Public Health (YSPH) associate professor Xi Chen who discussed the relationship between early life circumstances and long-term human development, emphasizing the importance of early interventions for lifelong health. Professors Xiaoyan Lei from Peking University, Sean Sylvia from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Xingwu Ran from Sichuan University led discussions on health economics, sustainable development, public policy, and community health initiatives. These lectures provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of health from individual, social, human, animal, environmental, and planetary perspectives.

The participants, students from institutions including Yale, Harvard, Peking University, and Tsinghua University, selected from nearly 600 applicants, brought diverse perspectives and a strong commitment to community service and health improvement. The program concluded with a renewed commitment to promoting ‘One Health’ solutions.

---

To learn more about the event, visit the Yale Center Beijing website.