Bowen, originally from Trumbull, is creating educational presentations, workbooks, and infographics with information about topics like ticks, mosquitoes, zoonotic diseases, and antibiotic resistance in an area of health studies that isn\u2019t well understood by the public \u2013 One Health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One Health is an approach that emphasizes how human, animal, and ecological health are interconnected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile virus or Zika virus, are carried to humans by mosquitos that picked the virus up from another animal. The prevalence of these types diseases in the U.S. is increasing due to climate change expanding mosquitos\u2019 range and human expansion into new areas of mosquito habitats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen you only focus on one of those [aspects of health], you\u2019re not getting a full picture of what\u2019s contributing to these issues,\u201d Bowen says. \u201cIf we don\u2019t look at climate change, or we don\u2019t look at how we\u2019re going into different areas, we miss a big piece of tick- and mosquito-borne illnesses and we\u2019re not going to be prepared for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/tick-icon.png\"){kind=icon}
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nAll About Tick Safety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ticks are carriers of many diseases, and can make you very sick. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are some ways to prevent tickborne diseases for both you and your pets, both at home and wherever you go!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Remove leaf litter and brush from around your home, and don’t forget to mow your lawn often!<\/li>
- On trails, walk in the center to avoid brush<\/li>
- Wear light colored sleeves and pants to easily spot ticks<\/li>
- Conduct tick checks on yourself and your pets<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n
All About Mosquito Safety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Mosquitoes are carriers of many diseases, and can make you very sick. Here are some ways to minimize mosquito populations in and around your home, and protect yourself from mosquito bites anywhere you go!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Empty any sources of standing water<\/li>
- Tightly cover trash cans and rain barrels<\/li>
- Keep lawn cut short<\/li>
- Use EPA-registered insect repellent<\/li>
- Wear long sleeves and pants<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\")
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\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nBowen\u2019s educational materials focus on facts about the topic, like tick or mosquito anatomy, habitat, and lifecycle. Bowen also includes information about how to prevent contracting diseases that these insects carry, such as draining collected water in yards where mosquitos could breed, or wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI felt it was important to share because kids and adults can take steps to mitigate the risk of catching these diseases,\u201d Bowen says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bowen designed these materials for elementary and middle school students in UConn 4-H programs throughout Connecticut. 4-H is a national youth organization where members receive mentoring and education on topics including health, STEM, agriculture, and civic engagement. UConn\u2019s program is administered by UConn Extension<\/a> with offices around the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Bowen focuses her resources on information for Connecticut, anyone can use the online resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bowen, an animal science and pathobiology major, says this experience has piqued her interest in potentially pursuing both education and research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI really like researching things, so finding all this information on topics I’m interested in has been really fun,\u201d Bowen says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The One Health office at UConn promotes the holistic concepts of One Health to address complex health problems through educational, experiential learning programs. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The <\/em>College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources<\/em><\/a>\u2019 <\/em>Extension internships<\/em><\/a> provide students with the opportunity to learn and work in a paid career-oriented role.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/mosquito.png\")
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