Animal welfare and public health share common goals and common opponents in industrial animal agriculture. Building bridges between these communities strengthens both movements and creates more durable policy change.
The intersection of animal welfare and public health creates opportunities for coalition-building that goes beyond traditional advocacy. Communities affected by industrial farming pollution, public health researchers concerned about AMR and zoonoses, workers seeking better conditions in food processing, and environmental justice advocates all have interests that align with animal welfare reform. Building these coalitions expands the political base for welfare-improving policies and creates allies who can be motivated by human interests even if animal welfare alone would not move them.