One Health

One Health

Definition of One Health

One Health is a collaborative approach to health that recognises the interconnection between human health, animal health, and the health of ecosystems. It promotes coordinated action across disciplines — including agriculture, veterinary medicine, public health, and environmental science — to prevent disease, improve resilience, and support sustainable development.

Rather than treating human, animal, and environmental health as separate issues, One Health views them as interdependent systems, where changes in land use, farming practices, climate, and biodiversity directly influence disease risk and overall well-being.

Why One Health Matters

One Health matters because many of today’s most pressing challenges cross traditional sector boundaries. Its importance includes:

• Reducing zoonotic disease risks at the human–animal interface

• Strengthening biosecurity and disease surveillance

• Improving food safety and animal welfare

• Addressing antimicrobial resistance through coordinated management

• Enhancing resilience to climate change and environmental degradation

• Supporting sustainable agriculture and land use planning

By encouraging cooperation rather than isolated responses, One Health enables earlier prevention, more effective interventions, and long-term health protection.

Core Principles of One Health

• Interdisciplinary Collaboration – Shared action across health, agriculture, and environment sectors

• Prevention-Focused – Emphasis on early detection and risk reduction

• Systems Thinking – Understanding how ecological and social factors influence health

• Data Sharing and Surveillance – Integrated monitoring of diseases and environmental change

• Sustainability – Aligning health outcomes with environmental stewardship

• Policy Integration – Coordinated regulations and governance across sectors

Related Terms

• Zoonotic

• Animal Health

• Public Health

• Biosecurity

• Ecology

• Antimicrobial Resistance

Useful Resources on One Health

Explore these authoritative resources to learn more about One Health principles, policy frameworks, and real-world applications:

• World Health Organization (WHO) – One Health – Global guidance on integrated health approaches.

• FAO – One Health in Agriculture and Food Systems – Resources linking farming practices with human and animal health.

• World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) – One Health – Standards and collaboration on animal and public health.

• UN Environment Programme (UNEP) – One Health – Environmental dimensions of health and disease prevention.

• One Health High-Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP) – Scientific advice supporting global One Health policy.

• CDC – One Health – Practical examples and case studies of One Health in action.

• DEFRA – One Health Approach (UK) – UK policy perspectives on integrated health management.

• European Commission – One Health Action Plan – EU-level initiatives addressing antimicrobial resistance and disease.

• CABI – One Health Resources – Research and educational materials connecting agriculture and health.