One Health Concept: Why is it in news now?

What is one health concept? Why is it significant? Read further to know more.

The One Health concept is being recognized as an effective way to fight health issues at the human-animal-environment interface, including zoonotic diseases.

‘One Health’ was proposed as a concept to foster such interdisciplinary collaboration. It is adopted by the international agencies charged with the control of zoonoses (diseases that can spread between animals and humans, such as flu, rabies, etc).

This concept is used by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). In India, it is a component of the National Mission on Biodiversity and Human Well-Being.

What is One Health Concept?

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One Health concept is a worldwide strategy for expanding interdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects of health care for people, animals, and the environment.

The approach identifies that zoonotic diseases, environmental pressures, food security, anti-microbial resistance, and wellness threats to animals and humans are all interrelated.

It recognizes that a stand-alone approach will not work and that the wellness of people is closely connected to the health of animals and our shared environment.

• It emphasizes the interdependence of humans, animals, and the environment in shaping the health outcomes of each.
• The One Health framework acknowledges that the health of individuals and populations is influenced by complex interactions between humans, animals, and their shared environments.

Potential Outcomes

• More interdisciplinary programs in education, training, research, and policy development.
• More information sharing related to disease detection, diagnosis, education, and research.
• More prevention of diseases, both infectious and chronic.
• Development of new therapies and approaches to treatments.

Components

The concept is an interdisciplinary approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and the ecosystem health.

Interconnectedness of Health Domains:

• Human Health: The wellness of humans is closely linked to the health of animals and the environment. Diseases can be transmitted between humans and animals, and environmental factors play a significant role in wellness outcomes.
• Animal Health: The health of domestic and wild animals can impact human wellness through the transmission of zoonotic diseases (diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans).
• Environmental Health: The health of ecosystems, including air, water, and biodiversity, has direct and indirect effects on both human and animal wellness.

Zoonotic Disease Transmission:

• Disease Dynamics: Many infectious diseases originate in animals before spilling over to humans. Zoonotic diseases, such as influenza, Ebola, and COVID-19, highlight the importance of understanding and monitoring the health of animals to prevent disease transmission to humans.

Environmental Impact on Health:

• Ecosystem Health: The degradation of ecosystems, deforestation, climate change, and pollution can have direct consequences for human and animal health. Changes in ecosystems can influence disease vectors, alter patterns of infectious diseases, and impact food and water security.

Antimicrobial Resistance:

• Shared Challenges: The overuse and misuse of antibiotics in humans and animals contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance. This shared challenge requires a coordinated approach to preserve the effectiveness of antimicrobial drugs.

Collaborative Approaches:

• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The concept promotes collaboration among professionals from diverse fields, including human and veterinary medicine, environmental science, agriculture, public wellness, and more. This collaboration aims to address complex health challenges from multiple perspectives.

Surveillance and Early Detection:

• Early Warning Systems: Surveillance systems that monitor the wellness of humans, animals, and the environment are crucial for the early detection of emerging health threats. Rapid response to potential outbreaks can help prevent the spread of diseases.

Holistic Health Solutions:

• Preventive Measures: The concept emphasizes preventive measures, including vaccination programs, habitat conservation, and sustainable agricultural practices, to reduce the risk of disease transmission and promote overall wellness.

Policy and Governance:

• Integrated Policies: Developing integrated policies and governance structures that address health challenges at the intersection of humans, animals, and the environment. This involves collaboration at local, national, and global levels.

Capacity Building:

• Education and Training: Capacity building through education and training programs for professionals in various disciplines to enhance their understanding of the interconnectedness of wellness and the importance of collaborative approaches.

Pandemics like COVID-19 and the One-Health concept

The need for greater interdisciplinary collaboration was identified with the emergence of zoonotic viruses with pandemic disease-causing potential in the early years of the 21st century.

Changes in land-use patterns, climate changes, etc. disrupt habitats and cause new diseases to pass to animals. The rapidly growing human population results in more people living in close contact with wild and domestic animals, which provides more opportunities for diseases to pass between animals and people.

Due to the explosion of international travel and trade, such diseases can spread quickly across borders and around the globe. Thus, existing or emerging zoonotic diseases can transform into a pandemic.

National Mission on Biodiversity and Human Well-being

Launched recently by the Government of India, the mission aims to explore the neglected links between biodiversity and human well-being.

• It spans the sectors of health, economic development, agricultural production, and livelihood generation.
• It addresses health and livelihood concerns along with efforts to mitigate climate change and related disasters.
• One of the components of the mission explicitly links biodiversity to human health through the One Health framework.
• As part of the program, institutions are encouraged to set up surveillance systems at potential emerging infectious disease hotspots across India.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the One Health approach recognizes the interconnectedness between human, animal, and environmental health. It emphasizes the need for collaboration and coordination among various sectors to address the complex health challenges of our time, such as emerging infectious diseases, food safety, and antimicrobial resistance.

By working together, we can better understand the underlying factors driving these issues and develop more effective and sustainable solutions.

The concept is not just a concept or a philosophy but a practical approach that can help us build a healthier, more resilient, and more equitable world for all. As such, it deserves more attention and investment from policymakers, researchers, and the public alike.

Read: Climate Change and Health