Artist Statement
Reflections from Galápagos, 2023
My passion is to explore the world. My profession is to educate. My mission is to serve.
A fusion of these ingredients found me in Galápagos, where I experienced a community that promotes the idea of "One Health"--the collective health of humans, animals, and the environment. But this is more than just an idea.
The Galápagos islands is a province of Ecuador, the first country in the world to codify the "Rights of Nature" into their constitution, giving ecosystems the rights to grow and flourish. The country also has universal healthcare, providing free access and coverage to its people.
The love for nature and animals in Galápagos is evident and abundant from lazy sea lions on the malecón and beaches to water conservation reminders everywhere you turn to the flora and fauna depicted in arts and architecture all over the city of San Cristóbal.
The respect for and actions to protect nature, animals, and their people was a beautiful lesson in preservation. "One Health" is an initiative that reflects that humans and nature are symbiotic, and the health and conservation of one improves the health and conservation for all.
Recommended Citation
Navarro, Christi M.
(2024)
"One Health,"
be Still: Vol. 8, Article 6.
Available at:
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/bestill/vol8/iss1/6
ORCID ID
0009-0009-3501-1280
ResearcherID
IWU-8899-2023
About the Artist
Christi Navarro, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Public Health at Nova Southeastern University. Her research and community engagement focus on promoting mental health and well-being. She has an unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment that encourages innovation, creativity, and diverse perspectives.