One Health Approach – Integrating Human, Animal, and Environmental Health
- GS Paper 2 & 3: Health policy, science & tech, disaster management, biodiversity conservation
- Essay: Interconnectedness of health, development vs. disease
- Prelims: Recent missions, institutions, and One Health initiatives
Introduction
The “One Health” approach recognizes the intricate interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health. In a world increasingly shaped by emerging zoonotic diseases (such as COVID-19 and Nipah), antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and climate-induced ecological change, it is clear that health threats cross traditional sectoral boundaries. The One Health paradigm calls for collaborative, cross-disciplinary action among medical, veterinary, and environmental science sectors to ensure comprehensive and sustainable well-being for all species.
Concept of One Health
One Health is a collaborative, multi-sectoral, and transdisciplinary approach working at local, national, and global scales. Its goal is to achieve optimal health outcomes by addressing the inextricable connection between people, animals, plants, and the environment. It advocates proactive and coordinated involvement of public health (human medicine), animal health (veterinary science), and environmental management. Strong communication, data sharing, and joint action are central tenets.
Historical Background
- The concept dates back to the work of 19th-century public health pioneers who first noted the link between environmental quality, human disease, and animal epidemics.
- It re-emerged in global policy discourse in the 21st century due to a series of zoonotic threats, including SARS (2003), Avian Influenza and H1N1 (2009), Ebola (2014), and, most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic (2020).
- These crises highlighted the fact that 75% of new or emerging infectious diseases have zoonotic origins, prompting global organizations to institutionalize One Health.
Core Principles of One Health
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Integrating medical, veterinary, ecological, and social sciences.
- Prevention-Focused Policies: Prioritizing early detection, preparedness, and mitigation.
- Shared Surveillance and Data: Establishing common platforms for health and environmental data.
- Sustainable Ecosystem Management: Addressing land use, wildlife conservation, biodiversity, and pollution.
- Global Health Equity: Ensuring all nations and communities benefit from One Health actions.
Importance of the One Health Approach
- Emerging Zoonotic Diseases: Around 75% of new infectious diseases in humans originate from animal hosts.
- Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): Overuse and misuse of antibiotics in healthcare and livestock are fueling a global AMR crisis.
- Food Safety and Security: Outbreaks of animal diseases threaten nutrition and agricultural livelihoods.
- Climate Change: Shifts in climate cause changes in vector habitats (e.g., mosquitoes), promoting the spread of diseases like malaria, dengue, and new zoonoses.
One Health in India
- India launched the National One Health Mission to address zoonoses, AMR, and environmental health under the Department of Biotechnology.
- Collaborative Projects:
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) implement joint surveillance and ecosystem health programs.
- Noteworthy Examples:
- Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP): Multi-sectoral monitoring of zoonoses and outbreaks.
- Kerala Model: Successful One Health responses in tackling Nipah, Kyasanur Forest Disease, and Avian Influenza. The Centre for One Health Education, Advocacy, Research, and Training (COHEART) in Kerala is advancing cross-sectoral education.
- AMR Action Plan (2017): Intersectoral response targeting misuse of antimicrobials.
- Community participation in rabies elimination and food safety programmes.
- Current Expansion: India is setting up a network of 100 zoonotic sentinel sites, scaling laboratory infrastructure, and rolling out pilot Integrated Regional Disease Laboratories (IRDLs).
Global Frameworks Supporting One Health
- Tripartite Collaboration: WHO, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH/OIE) drive global policy and build capacity.
- Quadripartite Alliance: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) joined in 2022 to entwine environmental health in the One Health agenda.
- SDG Linkages:
- SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-being)
- SDG 13 (Climate Action)
- SDG 15 (Life on Land)
- International Agreements: Delhi Declaration (2019) in WHO-SEARO for emergency health preparedness, cooperation on zoonoses, and AMR.
Challenges in Implementation
- Institutional Fragmentation: Overlapping or siloed ministries and agencies can stall coordination.
- Integrated Surveillance Gaps: Data systems for human, animal, and environmental health are often disconnected.
- Funding Constraints: Limited, sporadic funding hampers sustained action and research.
- Human Resource Gaps: Need for training ‘One Health professionals’ with cross-disciplinary skills.
- Public Awareness/Engagement: Limited understanding at local levels restricts community-based solutions.
The Way Forward
- Strengthen Inter-Sectoral Coordination: Establish formal advisory bodies, steering committees, and legal mandates.
- Integrated Surveillance: Build national and state-level data platforms for zoonoses, AMR, and environmental hazards.
- Capacity Building: Enhance training for health, veterinary, and ecological staff; expand community health education.
- Promote Environmental Conservation: Integrate sustainable land and water management into disease prevention.
- Leverage Digital Technologies: Use databases like Aadhaar and local data to trace and manage outbreaks in real time.
- Global Partnerships: Intensify collaboration through international science projects, the G20, World Bank, and WHO.
Conclusion
The One Health approach is a forward-looking, pragmatic solution to complex 21st-century health threats. In an era beset by global pandemics, ecological degradation, and food security challenges, seamless coordination between human, animal, and environmental health is paramount. India’s expanding One Health framework demonstrates leadership and serves as a model for developing nations. Local action, supported by robust policies and partnerships, will ensure the health of all species and the ecosystems they share—securing a safer, more sustainable future.
FAQs on One Health Approach
Q1: What is the One Health approach?
The One Health approach is a collaborative, multi-sectoral, and transdisciplinary strategy that seeks to achieve optimal health outcomes for humans, animals, and the environment by recognizing their interconnection and coordinating efforts across public health, veterinary, and ecological sectors.
Q2: Why is the One Health approach gaining importance worldwide?
It is increasingly relevant due to the rise of zoonotic diseases (75% of new infectious diseases), antimicrobial resistance, and the impacts of environmental change and globalization on disease spread and health threats.
Q3: Which sectors are involved in One Health implementation?
Medical and public health professionals, veterinarians, ecologists, wildlife experts, policymakers, agricultural experts, NGOs, and community workers all participate collaboratively to address health challenges at the human-animal-environment interface.
Q4: What are some major challenges to implementing One Health in India and globally?
Common hurdles include institutional silos between ministries and agencies, lack of integrated surveillance systems, funding constraints, gaps in cross-disciplinary training, and limited public awareness at grassroots levels.
Q5: How does One Health help combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR)?
By coordinating responsible use of antibiotics across human healthcare, animal husbandry, and environmental sectors, and promoting joint surveillance and stewardship policies to slow the spread of resistance.
Q6: What are some direct outcomes of successful One Health strategies?
Prevented and controlled outbreaks of zoonotic diseases, improved food safety, enhanced response to health emergencies, reduced AMR prevalence, and greater protection for biodiversity and ecological sustainability.
Q7: How can communities and local organizations support the One Health approach?
Community engagement is critical for implementing risk-reducing habits, supporting surveillance, and participating in early detection, disease containment, and sustainable ecosystem management.
Q8: What global frameworks and organizations support One Health?
WHO, FAO, WOAH (OIE), and UNEP lead the global support through the Quadripartite Alliance—integrating policies on health, animal welfare, and environmental management—backed by initiatives tied to UN SDGs.
