The One Health approach recognizes that the health of people is closely connected to the health of animals and our shared environment. This comprehensive document explores how animal welfare directly impacts public health and ecosystem sustainability, highlighting the critical interconnections that affect global wellbeing.

# Understanding One Health: A Unified Approach to Global Health

One Health represents a collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach that works at local, regional, national, and global levels. It recognizes that human health, animal health, and environmental health are inextricably linked and interdependent. This integrated framework acknowledges that diseases can be transmitted between animals and humans (zoonotic diseases), and that environmental factors play a crucial role in the emergence and spread of these diseases.

Established through collaborative efforts between major global health organizations including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, formerly OIE), One Health addresses complex challenges that transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries. These challenges include zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, food safety and security, vector-borne diseases, and the health impacts of climate change.

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically underscored the urgency and relevance of the One Health approach. Originating from an animal source, SARS-CoV-2 rapidly spread across the globe, demonstrating how animal-origin pathogens can trigger devastating public health emergencies with far-reaching socioeconomic consequences. This pandemic revealed critical gaps in our global health security systems and emphasized the need for stronger cross-sectoral collaboration and coordination.

Human Health

Medicine, public health, mental wellbeing, and social factors affecting human populations

Animal Health

Domestic and wild animal health, welfare, and veterinary services

Environmental Health

Ecosystem health, climate, biodiversity, and natural resources

By integrating expertise from multiple sectors, One Health enables us to better predict, detect, prevent, and respond to global health threats. It fosters synergistic approaches that consider the complex interplay between humans, animals, and the environment, promoting sustainable solutions that protect and enhance the health of all species. This holistic perspective is increasingly recognized as essential for addressing 21st-century health challenges effectively.

Implementation of One Health requires breaking down silos between disciplines and sectors, establishing platforms for information sharing, and developing coordinated surveillance systems. It also necessitates joint risk assessments and response mechanisms that can rapidly mobilize when threats emerge. The ultimate goal is to create resilient health systems that safeguard the wellbeing of current and future generations while respecting the delicate balance of our shared planet.

# The Role of Animal Welfare in Human Health

Animal welfare stands as a critical cornerstone within the One Health framework, serving as both an indicator and determinant of broader health outcomes across species boundaries. The conditions in which animals live, their physical and psychological wellbeing, and how humans interact with them significantly influence disease emergence, transmission dynamics, and ultimately, public health security.

Poor Welfare Conditions as Disease Incubators

Substandard living conditions for animals—whether in wildlife markets, intensive farming operations, or compromised natural habitats—create ideal environments for pathogen evolution and spread. Overcrowding, poor ventilation, inadequate nutrition, and high stress levels compromise animals’ immune systems, making them more susceptible to infection and increasing pathogen shedding. These conditions can transform otherwise manageable animal diseases into significant public health threats.

Stress and Immunosuppression

Chronic stress from poor welfare conditions triggers physiological responses that suppress immune function in animals. This immunosuppression alters host-pathogen dynamics, potentially accelerating mutation rates, increasing virulence, and creating opportunities for pathogens to jump between species. Many major disease outbreaks, including various strains of avian influenza, swine flu, and even Ebola, have been linked to situations where animal welfare was compromised.

Veterinary Medicine as Preventive Public Health

Veterinarians serve as frontline defenders in the One Health approach, monitoring animal health and welfare to identify emerging threats before they affect human populations. Through preventive care, disease surveillance, and welfare monitoring, veterinary professionals play a crucial role in maintaining the health buffer between animal populations and humans. Their expertise is essential for developing and implementing welfare standards that simultaneously protect animals and reduce public health risks.

The interconnection between animal welfare and human health extends beyond infectious disease considerations. The ways in which food animals are raised affects food safety and nutritional quality, with implications for human health outcomes including antimicrobial resistance and foodborne illnesses. Additionally, the welfare of wildlife populations influences ecosystem health and stability, which in turn affects environmental determinants of human health such as water quality, air purity, and food security.

Research increasingly demonstrates that implementing higher welfare standards for animals yields multiple benefits for human health. For example, reducing animal population densities and improving living conditions in livestock production not only enhances animal welfare but also decreases the need for antibiotics, reducing selection pressure for resistant bacteria. Similarly, regulating wildlife trade with welfare considerations helps preserve biodiversity while reducing opportunities for pathogen spillover.

As we advance the One Health agenda, integrating animal welfare science more thoroughly into public health and environmental policy becomes imperative. This integration requires recognizing that animal welfare is not merely an ethical concern but a practical necessity for comprehensive health protection. By elevating animal welfare standards across all contexts—from farms to laboratories, companion animals to wildlife—we simultaneously strengthen a critical pillar of the One Health approach and enhance our collective resilience against health threats.

# Ecosystem Sustainability: The Environmental Pillar of One Health

“The health of people, animals, plants, and the environment is intertwined… ecosystem degradation threatens all health-dependent systems.”

Healthy ecosystems serve as the foundation upon which both human and animal health ultimately depend. These complex biological communities and their physical environments provide essential services that support life in all its forms. Functioning ecosystems regulate disease vectors, maintain biodiversity that contributes to medical and scientific advancement, purify water and air, cycle nutrients, and support food production systems essential for human and animal nutrition.

The environmental pillar of One Health emphasizes the critical role that ecosystem stability plays in preventing disease emergence and supporting overall wellbeing. When ecosystems remain intact and function properly, they often serve as natural buffers against disease transmission. Biodiversity in particular acts as a protective mechanism through what scientists call the “dilution effect,” where higher species diversity can reduce pathogen transmission by decreasing the concentration of highly competent hosts.

Unfortunately, human activities continue to degrade ecosystems worldwide through deforestation, habitat fragmentation, pollution, climate change, and unsustainable resource extraction. These disturbances disrupt the delicate balance that keeps potential pathogens in check and forces wildlife into closer contact with domestic animals and humans, creating new opportunities for disease transmission.

Ecosystem Disruption

Habitat destruction, climate change, and pollution stress natural systems and force wildlife into new areas

Increased Contact

Wildlife-human-domestic animal interfaces multiply, creating opportunities for pathogen spillover

Disease Emergence

Novel pathogens find new hosts and transmission pathways, potentially leading to outbreaks

Health Crisis

Without ecological barriers, localized outbreaks can escalate to epidemics or pandemics

Climate change represents a particularly pervasive threat to ecosystem stability and, by extension, to One Health. Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns alter the geographic range of disease vectors like mosquitoes and ticks, bringing vector-borne diseases to previously unaffected regions. Climate-related ecosystem changes also stress wildlife populations, potentially increasing their susceptibility to pathogens and altering migration patterns that can introduce diseases to new areas.

The illegal wildlife trade further exemplifies how ecosystem disruption threatens health across species boundaries. This multibillion-dollar criminal industry not only decimates endangered species populations but also creates dangerous pathways for zoonotic disease transmission by bringing diverse wildlife species into close contact with each other and with humans under stressful and often unsanitary conditions.

Sustainable ecosystem management is therefore essential to the One Health approach. This includes conservation efforts to protect biodiversity hotspots, restoration of degraded habitats, climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, and policies that promote sustainable agriculture and resource use. Integrated environmental management that considers health impacts requires collaboration between ecologists, wildlife managers, public health officials, and veterinarians to monitor ecosystem health indicators and implement protective measures.

By safeguarding ecosystem integrity, we simultaneously protect animal welfare, preserve biodiversity, and maintain the environmental services upon which human health and wellbeing depend. This environmental dimension of One Health highlights that truly sustainable solutions must balance human needs with ecological limits, recognizing that our health is ultimately inseparable from the health of the planet we share with all other species.

# Case Study: Zoonotic Disease Outbreaks and One Health Responses

Zoonotic disease outbreaks provide compelling evidence for the necessity of a One Health approach, demonstrating how animal health challenges can rapidly escalate into human health emergencies without coordinated, cross-sectoral responses. Examining these outbreaks offers valuable insights into both the consequences of neglecting animal welfare and the benefits of integrated One Health strategies.

Ebola Virus Disease

The 2014-2016 West African Ebola outbreak killed over 11,000 people and caused economic losses exceeding $53 billion. Research suggests the index case resulted from contact with infected wildlife, likely bats. One Health responses included wildlife surveillance, community education about bushmeat risks, and integrated human-animal health monitoring systems that have since improved early detection capabilities.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

H5N1 and other avian influenza strains have caused devastating poultry losses and over 450 human deaths since 2003. Poor welfare conditions in poultry production facilitated viral spread and mutation. One Health interventions include improved biosecurity measures, surveillance at the wildlife-domestic poultry interface, and restructuring of poultry markets in affected regions.

SARS-CoV-2 in Mink

In 2020, mink on fur farms in multiple countries contracted SARS-CoV-2 from infected workers, with the virus then evolving and transmitting back to humans in a concerning example of reverse zoonosis. This led to the culling of millions of mink and highlighted how intensive animal farming can amplify pandemic risks. The situation prompted calls for stronger welfare standards and surveillance in animal industries.

These cases illustrate several key principles of the One Health approach to zoonotic disease management. First, they demonstrate that animal health monitoring serves as an early warning system for human health threats. In many instances, animal illness and death precede human cases, providing a critical window for intervention if animal and human health systems communicate effectively.

Second, these outbreaks reveal how animal welfare conditions directly influence disease dynamics. Stressful, crowded conditions compromise animals’ immune systems and create ideal environments for pathogen mutation and spread. The mink farm outbreaks particularly demonstrated how intensive farming practices can create “amplifier hosts” that accelerate viral evolution and transmission.

Third, successful responses to these outbreaks have consistently required collaboration across disciplines and sectors. The most effective interventions involve veterinarians, physicians, wildlife biologists, environmental scientists, and community health workers sharing information and coordinating actions. For example, rabies control programs that integrate canine vaccination, wildlife management, and human post-exposure prophylaxis have dramatically reduced human rabies deaths in many regions.

Global One Health initiatives have developed in response to these outbreaks, fostering communication and coordination among veterinary, medical, and environmental sectors. The Global Early Warning System (GLEWS), a joint initiative of FAO, WHO, and WOAH, monitors health threats at the human-animal-ecosystem interface. Similarly, the CDC’s One Health Office facilitates collaboration between human and animal health professionals to detect and respond to zoonotic diseases.

These case studies underscore that preventing future pandemics requires addressing animal welfare as a public health priority. By improving conditions for domestic and wild animals, monitoring animal health, and responding rapidly to animal disease outbreaks, we create a more robust defense against zoonotic threats. The lessons from these outbreaks continue to inform more integrated approaches to global health security, emphasizing that the health of all species is truly interconnected.

# Antimicrobial Resistance: A Shared Threat Across Species

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents one of the most significant One Health challenges of our time, threatening to undermine decades of medical progress and return us to an era where common infections could once again become deadly. This growing crisis exemplifies the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, as resistant organisms and resistance genes move freely across these domains.

The overuse and misuse of antimicrobial drugs in both human medicine and animal agriculture drive this global threat. In many countries, antibiotics are used in food-producing animals not only to treat infections but also for disease prevention and growth promotion. In fact, the majority of antibiotics globally are used in livestock production rather than human medicine. This widespread use creates selection pressure for resistant bacteria that can subsequently spread to humans through food products, direct contact with animals, or environmental pathways.

Animal Agriculture

Antibiotics used for treatment, prevention, and growth promotion in livestock create resistant bacteria that can spread to humans through food, direct contact, or environmental contamination

Human Healthcare

Overuse and misuse of antibiotics in human medicine selects for resistant pathogens that can be transmitted between patients and healthcare environments

Environment

Antibiotic residues and resistant bacteria enter soil and water systems through animal waste, human sewage, and pharmaceutical manufacturing effluent

Wildlife

Wild animals can acquire resistant bacteria from contaminated environments and potentially transport them across geographic boundaries

The relationship between animal welfare and antimicrobial resistance is particularly significant. Poor welfare conditions—including overcrowding, inadequate ventilation, high stress levels, and unsanitary environments—increase disease susceptibility in animal populations, driving greater antibiotic use. Conversely, improving animal welfare through better housing, appropriate nutrition, reduced stress, and enhanced biosecurity can significantly reduce the need for antibiotics in the first place.

Research demonstrates that alternative approaches focusing on animal welfare can effectively maintain productivity while decreasing antimicrobial use. For instance, studies in dairy cattle show that improved housing conditions, appropriate nutrition, and stress reduction measures can lower mastitis incidence, reducing the need for antibiotic treatments. Similarly, in poultry production, lower stocking densities and environmental enrichment have been associated with improved immune function and decreased disease prevalence.

Addressing AMR through a One Health lens requires coordinated action across sectors. The WHO, FAO, and WOAH have developed a Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance that emphasizes the need for integrated surveillance systems tracking resistance in humans, animals, and the environment. This approach enables early detection of emerging resistance patterns and facilitates targeted interventions.

According to the World Bank, by 2050, antimicrobial resistance could cause:

• 10 million deaths annually
• Up to 3.8% reduction in global GDP
• An additional 24 million people pushed into extreme poverty

Antimicrobial stewardship programs represent another crucial component of the One Health response to AMR. These programs promote responsible use of antimicrobials in both human healthcare and veterinary settings through education, guidelines, and regulatory frameworks. Many countries have now restricted the use of antibiotics for growth promotion in livestock and require veterinary oversight for therapeutic use, although implementation remains challenging in many regions.

Innovation in alternatives to antibiotics also plays an important role in mitigating AMR risks. Vaccines, probiotics, prebiotics, bacteriophages, and immune modulators offer promising approaches to disease prevention and treatment that reduce reliance on conventional antibiotics. Developing and deploying these alternatives requires collaboration between researchers in human and veterinary medicine, supported by appropriate regulatory frameworks and economic incentives.

By addressing antimicrobial resistance through a One Health framework that recognizes the connections between animal welfare, human health practices, and environmental impacts, we can preserve the effectiveness of these life-saving drugs for future generations. This integrated approach acknowledges that protecting the health of one species inherently protects the health of all.

# Mental Health and Social Wellbeing: The Human-Animal Bond

The relationship between humans and animals extends far beyond considerations of physical health and disease transmission. For millennia, animals have played integral roles in human societies as companions, workers, and cultural symbols, forming bonds that significantly impact mental health and social wellbeing for both species. This psychosocial dimension represents an often-overlooked but essential component of the One Health framework.

Companion animals, in particular, make substantial contributions to human mental health across the lifespan. Research consistently demonstrates that positive interactions with pets can reduce stress hormones like cortisol while increasing beneficial hormones such as oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine. These physiological changes translate into measurable mental health benefits, including decreased symptoms of anxiety and depression, lower blood pressure, and improved cardiovascular health.

Beyond these direct physiological effects, animals often serve as social catalysts, helping people connect with others and build community. For socially isolated individuals—including older adults, people with disabilities, and those experiencing homelessness—companion animals can provide crucial social support and facilitate human connections. Studies show that pet owners generally report less loneliness and greater life satisfaction compared to non-pet owners.

Therapeutic Applications

Animal-assisted interventions have demonstrated efficacy for diverse populations including children with autism spectrum disorders, veterans with PTSD, individuals with dementia, and people recovering from trauma. The presence of therapy animals in healthcare settings can reduce patient anxiety, improve treatment compliance, and even decrease pain perception.

Reciprocal Wellbeing

The human-animal relationship is bidirectional, with animal welfare directly influencing the benefits humans derive. Animals experiencing poor welfare cannot effectively support human wellbeing, highlighting the importance of addressing both sides of this relationship. Ensuring appropriate care, enrichment, and rest periods for working and therapy animals preserves their capacity to assist humans.

Indicator Relationships

Animal welfare issues often serve as sentinels for human welfare concerns. Animal hoarding, neglect, and abuse frequently occur in households experiencing other social problems such as domestic violence, substance abuse, or mental illness. Recognizing these connections enables more comprehensive interventions that address both human and animal needs simultaneously.

The concept of One Welfare has emerged as a complement to One Health, emphasizing these social and ethical dimensions that link animal welfare and human wellbeing. One Welfare recognizes that many of the same factors—including poverty, social inequality, food insecurity, and environmental degradation—negatively impact both human and animal communities. Addressing these shared determinants requires collaborative approaches that consider the needs of all affected species.

In disaster and emergency situations, the human-animal bond takes on particular significance. Research following hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters reveals that people often refuse evacuation if they cannot bring their animals, placing themselves at risk. Conversely, forced separation from animals during crises can cause significant psychological distress and impede recovery. Emergency management plans that incorporate provisions for animals therefore protect both human and animal lives while supporting post-disaster resilience.

Agriculture represents another domain where human and animal mental health intersect. Farmers and agricultural workers who care for livestock can experience significant stress when their animals suffer or die, particularly during disease outbreaks or extreme weather events. This “compassion fatigue” or “moral distress” affects not only the mental health of agricultural workers but also their ability to maintain high welfare standards for their animals, creating potential feedback loops that harm both groups.

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” — Mahatma Gandhi

Recognizing and supporting the human-animal bond through a One Health/One Welfare approach yields benefits across multiple dimensions. Programs that simultaneously address human and animal needs—such as co-sheltering options for domestic violence survivors and their pets, or community veterinary initiatives in underserved areas—demonstrate how integrated approaches can enhance outcomes for all species while using resources more efficiently.

As we advance our understanding of One Health, incorporating these psychosocial and ethical dimensions alongside traditional disease-focused considerations creates a more comprehensive framework that better reflects the complex, multifaceted relationships between humans and animals in our shared environment.

# Advancing One Health: Global Collaboration and Capacity Building

Implementing the One Health approach globally requires robust collaboration across disciplines, sectors, and national boundaries. This collaborative framework depends on effective communication channels, coordinated action, and shared capacity building efforts that enable all stakeholders to participate meaningfully in protecting health across human, animal, and environmental domains.

Foundation: Awareness and Education

Building understanding of One Health concepts among professionals, policymakers, and the public through educational curricula, training programs, and communication campaigns

Framework: Policy and Governance

Establishing legal frameworks, institutional arrangements, and funding mechanisms that enable coordinated planning and action across sectors

Function: Operational Systems

Implementing integrated surveillance networks, joint outbreak investigation teams, and shared laboratories that facilitate rapid detection and response

Future: Innovation and Research

Advancing interdisciplinary research, technological solutions, and evidence-based practices that address complex health challenges at the human-animal-environment interface

At the global level, several key initiatives are driving One Health implementation. The One Health High-Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP), established in 2021 by WHO, FAO, UNEP, and WOAH, provides scientific guidance on critical One Health issues and helps harmonize approaches across these major international organizations. Similarly, the World Bank’s One Health Operational Framework supports countries in developing national One Health strategies and securing financing for implementation.

Regional networks further strengthen global collaboration by addressing shared challenges within geographic areas. The One Health Network for the Mediterranean Basin (MediLabSecure), the Southeast Asia One Health University Network (SEAOHUN), and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s One Health program exemplify how regional cooperation enhances surveillance, research, and response capabilities across borders.

Key Collaboration Elements

• Communication: Establishing common language, terminology, and platforms for information exchange between sectors
• Coordination: Aligning policies, programs, and resources to prevent duplication and address gaps
• Collaboration: Working together on joint planning, implementation, and evaluation of One Health activities
• Capacity Building: Strengthening infrastructure, workforce skills, and institutional capabilities across all sectors

Capacity building represents a particularly critical component of advancing One Health globally. Many regions face significant gaps in human resources, laboratory infrastructure, surveillance systems, and regulatory frameworks needed to implement comprehensive One Health approaches. Addressing these gaps requires both technical training and institutional strengthening, often supported through international partnerships and development assistance.

Educational initiatives play a foundational role in building One Health capacity. Universities worldwide are incorporating One Health concepts into medical, veterinary, public health, and environmental science curricula. Innovative programs like the USAID PREDICT project have trained thousands of professionals in disease surveillance and pandemic preparedness using a One Health framework. Similarly, the International Student One Health Alliance fosters interdisciplinary collaboration among future health professionals, creating a generation of practitioners prepared to work across traditional boundaries.

Technology and digital tools increasingly support One Health implementation, enabling more efficient data sharing and analysis across sectors. Mobile applications for disease reporting, geographic information systems for mapping health risks, and artificial intelligence for analyzing surveillance data all enhance the speed and accuracy of One Health operations. The FAO-OIE-WHO Tripartite Zoonotic Disease Guide promotes harmonized data collection and sharing protocols to maximize the utility of these technological tools.

Success Story: Integrated Disease Surveillance

Tanzania’s One Health Coordination Desk established joint human-animal disease surveillance systems that detected and contained an anthrax outbreak in 2019 before it could spread widely to humans. This integrated approach reduced response time by 50% compared to previous outbreaks and saved an estimated $2.5 million in healthcare costs and livestock losses.

Community engagement represents another essential dimension of effective One Health implementation. Local knowledge and participation are critical for successful disease prevention and control, particularly in rural and indigenous communities where people live in close contact with animals and natural environments. Programs that incorporate traditional knowledge and cultural practices while building community capacity for health protection tend to achieve more sustainable outcomes than top-down approaches.

As the One Health movement advances globally, measuring progress and demonstrating impact becomes increasingly important. Organizations are developing indicators and metrics that capture the added value of integrated approaches compared to traditional siloed efforts. These measurement frameworks help make the case for continued investment in One Health and guide ongoing improvement in implementation strategies.

Through continued investment in global collaboration and capacity building, the One Health approach is gradually becoming institutionalized within health systems worldwide. This progress strengthens our collective ability to address complex health challenges that transcend traditional boundaries and builds resilience against future threats at the human-animal-environment interface.

# Challenges and Future Directions

Despite significant progress in advancing the One Health approach, substantial challenges remain in fully integrating this paradigm into global health systems. Addressing these challenges while exploring emerging concepts and technologies will shape the future trajectory of One Health implementation worldwide.

Disciplinary Silos and Institutional Barriers

Traditional disciplinary boundaries continue to impede effective collaboration, with separate educational pathways, professional cultures, institutional structures, and funding mechanisms for human health, animal health, and environmental sectors. Breaking down these silos requires systematic changes in how professionals are trained, institutions are organized, and resources are allocated.

Resource and Capacity Inequities

Low- and middle-income countries often face the greatest burden of zoonotic diseases and environmental health threats yet have the fewest resources to implement comprehensive One Health approaches. Addressing these inequities requires sustainable financing mechanisms, technology transfer, and capacity building programs that prioritize regions with the most significant needs and risks.

Data Sharing and Integration Obstacles

Different data standards, privacy concerns, proprietary systems, and regulatory frameworks create barriers to sharing and integrating health information across sectors. Developing interoperable systems, harmonized protocols, and appropriate governance frameworks for data sharing represents a critical technical and policy challenge.

Valuation and Economic Frameworks

Traditional economic analyses often fail to capture the full costs of disease outbreaks or the benefits of prevention across sectors. Developing more comprehensive economic frameworks that account for externalities and long-term impacts would better demonstrate the value proposition for One Health investments.

Beyond these operational challenges, the One Health movement faces conceptual and ethical questions about how to balance competing priorities and values. For instance, decisions about culling animals to control disease outbreaks involve complex tradeoffs between immediate public health concerns, animal welfare considerations, and long-term ecosystem impacts. Similarly, implementing biosecurity measures to prevent disease transmission can sometimes conflict with cultural practices or livelihoods dependent on traditional animal husbandry methods.

The emerging concept of One Welfare represents an important evolution in One Health thinking, explicitly incorporating ethical dimensions and recognizing the intrinsic value of animal wellbeing beyond its instrumental role in protecting human health. This expanded framework acknowledges that truly sustainable solutions must consider not only physical health outcomes but also welfare, social justice, and environmental sustainability across species boundaries.

Future Research Priorities

• Developing metrics to evaluate One Health impact and cost-effectiveness
• Identifying optimal governance structures for coordinating across sectors
• Understanding behavioral and social factors influencing adoption of One Health practices
• Mapping complex interactions between climate change, ecosystem alteration, and disease dynamics
• Investigating alternative approaches to antimicrobial use that maintain animal welfare

Technological innovations will significantly shape the future of One Health implementation. Genomic surveillance techniques, including metagenomic sequencing and environmental DNA monitoring, are revolutionizing our ability to detect pathogens before they cause outbreaks. Artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms increasingly help analyze complex data patterns to predict disease emergence and spread. Meanwhile, blockchain technology offers new possibilities for secure, transparent tracking of animal movements, disease cases, and intervention outcomes across jurisdictional boundaries.

Climate change adds both urgency and complexity to the One Health agenda. As global temperatures rise, disease vectors expand their ranges, wildlife migration patterns shift, and extreme weather events stress both human and animal populations. These dynamics create new health threats that can only be addressed through integrated approaches considering both mitigation and adaptation strategies across sectors.

Policy integration represents another frontier for One Health advancement. While many countries have established One Health coordination mechanisms, fewer have fully integrated One Health principles into core policy frameworks governing healthcare, agriculture, wildlife management, and environmental protection. Achieving this deeper level of policy coherence requires political commitment, stakeholder engagement, and innovative governance models that balance specialized expertise with cross-cutting coordination.

Public awareness and engagement will also be critical for future One Health success. Despite growing professional recognition of the One Health approach, public understanding remains limited in many regions. Expanding science communication efforts, incorporating One Health concepts into school curricula, and engaging communities in participatory health initiatives can build broader support for and participation in integrated health protection efforts.

As the One Health movement continues to evolve, maintaining flexibility and adaptability while strengthening core capacities will be essential. The experiences of recent years—from the COVID-19 pandemic to emerging threats like climate-sensitive diseases—demonstrate that our health challenges are becoming increasingly complex and interconnected. Meeting these challenges requires a One Health approach that is both deeply rooted in scientific evidence and continuously evolving to address new realities at the human-animal-environment interface.

# Conclusion: Embracing One Health for a Sustainable Future

The One Health approach represents a paradigm shift in how we conceptualize and address health challenges in the 21st century. By recognizing the fundamental interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, this framework offers a more comprehensive and effective path toward a healthier, more sustainable future for all species sharing our planet.

Throughout this document, we have explored the multiple dimensions of these interconnections: how animal welfare directly influences disease emergence and transmission; how ecosystem integrity provides the foundation for health across species; how zoonotic disease outbreaks demonstrate the necessity of coordinated responses; how antimicrobial resistance threatens medical progress across sectors; and how the human-animal bond contributes to mental health and social wellbeing. These diverse examples all underscore a central truth: the health of humans, animals, and the environment are inseparable, and safeguarding one requires protecting all.

The implementation of One Health approaches yields multiple benefits beyond disease control. By addressing root causes rather than symptoms, these integrated strategies enhance global preparedness, reduce disease risks, promote sustainable ecosystems, and improve quality of life for all species. From an economic perspective, investments in One Health prevention and early detection systems consistently demonstrate substantial returns compared to the costs of responding to established outbreaks or managing chronic health problems.

Disease Prevention

Percentage of emerging infectious diseases that originate in animals and could be prevented through One Health approaches

Annual Savings

Estimated global yearly savings from implementing One Health surveillance and prevention systems

Return on Investment

Average return for every dollar invested in One Health prevention versus outbreak response

Moving forward, several priorities will shape the continued evolution and impact of the One Health movement:

Strengthening Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Continuing to break down barriers between human medicine, veterinary science, ecology, and other relevant disciplines through shared education, research initiatives, and professional networks

Institutionalizing One Health in Governance

Embedding One Health principles in national and international policy frameworks, with sustainable funding mechanisms and clear accountability structures

Expanding the Ethical Framework

Advancing the One Welfare concept to ensure that animal wellbeing and environmental integrity are valued alongside human health in decision-making processes

Building Community Engagement

Involving local communities as active participants in One Health initiatives, recognizing their knowledge, needs, and capacity to contribute to solutions

Addressing Equity Considerations

Ensuring that One Health benefits are accessible to all populations and that the costs and responsibilities of implementation are shared fairly

The COVID-19 pandemic served as a powerful reminder of our vulnerability to health threats that cross species boundaries. It also demonstrated our capacity for rapid scientific advancement, international cooperation, and adaptive response when faced with urgent challenges. As we recover and rebuild from this global crisis, we have a unique opportunity to strengthen One Health systems that will make us more resilient against future threats.

“The health of people is connected to the health of animals and the environment… and when we take a One Health approach, considering health in an integrated way, we can help maintain or restore the natural systems upon which we all depend.” — Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General

Embracing One Health is not merely a technical or scientific imperative but also an ethical one. It acknowledges our responsibility as stewards of both human wellbeing and the broader living systems that sustain all life on Earth. By recognizing the dignity and value of all species while understanding our profound interdependence, we create the foundation for more holistic and effective health protection strategies.

The path toward fully implementing One Health globally will require sustained commitment, innovative thinking, and collaborative action across disciplines, sectors, and nations. However, the potential rewards—reduced disease burden, improved animal welfare, healthier ecosystems, and enhanced human wellbeing—make this journey essential for our collective future. By working together across traditional boundaries, we can build a world where the health of humans, animals, and the environment is protected and promoted as the interconnected whole that it truly is.

# Hashtags

Connect with the One Health Community

Join the global conversation about the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health using these relevant hashtags:

#OneHealth

The core concept uniting human, animal, and environmental health professionals worldwide

#AnimalWelfare

Focusing on the physical and psychological wellbeing of animals and its impact on broader health

#PublicHealth

Addressing population health issues through preventive measures and health promotion

#ZoonoticDiseases

Discussing diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans

#EcosystemSustainability

Preserving the natural systems that support health across species boundaries

#AntimicrobialResistance

Combating the growing threat of drug-resistant infections across human and animal populations

#VeterinaryMedicine

Highlighting the critical role of animal healthcare in the broader health landscape

#OneWelfare

Expanding beyond health to incorporate wellbeing and ethical considerations across species

#GlobalHealth

Addressing health issues that transcend national boundaries and require international cooperation

#EnvironmentalHealth

Focusing on how environmental factors influence health outcomes for all living beings

Connect, share, and learn with professionals and enthusiasts working toward a healthier planet for all species.