One Health

Over the last 20 years, there has been a change in how we view zoonotic diseases. Clearly the causes of these spillover events (from animals to people) are not isolated but are part of a larger picture. There is a movement to examine the health of people, animals and the environment together. This called One Health or sometimes EcoHealth and draws on the use of many disciplines, different communities, public health, veterinary medicine, environmental sectors. The focus is on food, water safety, nutrition, control of zoonoses, pollution management, antimicrobial resistance, vector borne diseases, diseases in food animals.

More information can be found at

Components of One Health

Raise awareness and increase understanding (knowledge) of zoonotic and emerging disease risks and prevention
Increase investments in interdisciplinary approaches
Expand scientific enquiry into the complex social, economic and ecological dimensions of emerging diseases
Improve cost-benefit analyses of emerging diseases prevention interventions to include full cost
accounting of societal impacts of disease
Develop effective means of monitoring and regulating practices associated with zoonotic disease, including food systems from farm to fork
Include health considerations in incentives for (sustainable) food systems, including wildlife source foods
Identify key drivers of emerging diseases in animal husbandry
Support integrated management of landscapes and seascapes that enhance sustainable co-existence of agriculture and wildlife
Strengthen existing and build new capacities among health stakeholders in all countries (especially important to work with local communities and build trust and cooperation!)

Optional Resources:

Science, “Ecology and Economics for Pandemic Prevention.

The keys to preventing future pandemics

Future pandemics can be prevented, but that’ll rely on unprecedented global cooperation

Preventing the next pandemic - Zoonotic diseases and how to break the chain of transmission

Great visual representation of what we have discussed