What is One Health?

One Health is an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems. It recognizes the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants and the wider environment (including ecosystems) are intricately linked and interdependent. According to Thomas Mettenleiter and others, the approach mobilizes multiple sectors, disciplines and communities at varying levels of society to work together to foster well-being and tackle threats to health and ecosystems while addressing the collective need for clean water, energy and air, safe and nutritious food, taking action on climate change and contributing to sustainable development. 

One Health is inextricably linked with climate change. Without potable water to drink and clean air to breathe, optimal health is impossible. Recent changes in climate and land use due to agriculture intensification, urbanization and international travel and trade have increased the threat of infectious disease to humans, animals and the environment. Roughly 75% of emerging infectious diseases originate from animals and/or are transmitted by animals. Health threats caused by infectious diseases are a grand challenge that requires cross-disciplinary approaches involving human, animal and environmental health experts.