- One Health is a concept wherein the health of all the beings viz. human, animals and other living creatures are taken into account for the common goal of sustainably. This is an important aspect because the ecosystems are closely linked and inter-dependent.
- The most important advantage of linking the environment with the one health, is the prevention of epidemic outbreaks of zoonotic disease in animals and people, reduction in antibiotic-resistant infections and improvement in human and animal health, along with improved food safety and security, and protection of global health security.
- Some of the important international organisations like WHO, UNEP etc. have strived towards mainstreaming One Health so that the world is better prepared in combating worldwide health issues and promote sustainable development.
- In order to achieve the goals for One Health, volunteers and officials have been working tirelessly in the collection of the data which may provide the government and decision-makers on One Health’s impact to help justify its need and subsequent policy making and resource distribution.
- As per the literature approximately 60% and 75% of existing human infectious diseases are either or have animal origin respectively. Thus, if pathogens at the animal sources are controlled then it may contribute to an effective and economical method of health protection.
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major concern in the current health scenario which is currently causing approximately 700,000 deaths each year and has the capability to become a leading cause of death by 2050. AMR depends greatly on various issues ranging from concerns at regional health care to logistics. Thus, encouraging an One Health approach is important for eliciting appropriate responses.
- The One Health approach would also provide proper monitoring of food and fresh water, which aid in regulating climate, floods and disease by helping in researches in the field of biodiversity and ecosystem crosslinking.
- Climate mitigation and adaptation is thus essential to decreasing health risks for both our generation and future generations as it is expected that between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250 000 additional deaths per year, from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and heat stress.
- Food forms an important component of human health. The food quality viz a viz food production is dependent on good animal and plant health where the involvement of zoonotic pathogens again lay emphasis on the One health system and its implementation which can help in ensuring food safety.
- Thus, One Health approach can link humans, animals as well as the environment, helping to tackle a wide variety of disease and create a map for preparing, managing the global health security and be responsive towards any epidemic.
