Dr. Kamal Ali Saleh / College of Veterinary Medicine / Kirkuk University / Iraq
June 2024 /Kirkuk
When was the term One Health introduced?
Collaboration across the human, animal and environmental sectors has been important, recognized and practiced for centuries. About 20 years ago, the term “One Health” emerged and was advocated, as a holistic, multi-sectoral approach to the design and implementation of human health programs and in programs affecting animal health and the environment. Following the outbreak of the influenza crisis in the 2000s, and more recently issues related to antimicrobial resistance, Covid-19 provides an opportunity for renewed commitment to this approach.
The One Health approach is based on the understanding that people, animals and the environment are inextricably interconnected and that each is interdependent. It is estimated that 60% of existing human infectious diseases are zoonotic, and that at least 75% of emerging infectious diseases originate from animals. Healthy ecosystems are essential for the survival of humans and animals. We can no longer think about the health of one group without considering the health status of the other two groups. This realization represents a turning point since the past 50 years, when human health alone was the primary focus.
Since 2010, the OIE has been committed to promoting the One Health approach within the framework of the Tripartite Alliance with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization. We share common goals and activities in the prevention and control of health risks, while we also disseminate and promote scientific information on topics related to one health, such as antimicrobial resistance, rabies, and avian influenza. The tripartite alliance has recently expanded to include UNEP, and they have formed a group of high-level experts on the One Health approach. The team will advise on a long-term global action plan to avoid zoonotic disease outbreaks.
The joint press release issued by the three organizations (FAO, the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)). To support the definition of the “One Health” approach developed by the High-level Expert Group on the One Health Approach on 1 December 2021:
The four organizations welcome the working definition of the “One Health” approach recently formulated by their advisory group, the High-Level Expert Group on the One Health Approach (the Expert Group), whose members represent a wide range of disciplines in the scientific and policy sectors relevant to One Health. all over the world.
Together, the four organizations are working to mainstream the One Health approach in order to be better prepared to prevent, predict, detect and respond to global health threats and promote sustainable development.
The definition of the One Health approach developed by the Expert Group states:
The One Health approach is an integrated and unified approach that aims to achieve sustainable balance and improve the health of people, animals and ecosystems.
Recognizes that the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the wider environment (including ecosystems) are closely interconnected and interdependent. This approach mobilizes multiple sectors, disciplines and communities at different levels of society to work together to promote well-being and address threats to health and ecosystems, while simultaneously addressing the collective need for clean water, energy, air and safe food. and nutrition, taking action on climate change, and contributing to sustainable development.
The expert group was the first to raise the issue of a definition of the One Health approach, and this definition was subsequently agreed upon by the four partner organizations, with the aim of developing a common formulation and understanding of the One Health approach.
The expert group’s new comprehensive definition of the One Health approach aims to promote clear understanding and interpretation across sectors and areas of expertise.
While health, food, water, energy and environment are all broader topics with specialized and sector-specific concerns, cross-sectoral and cross-disciplinary collaboration will contribute to protecting health, and addressing health challenges such as the emergence of infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance and Promoting the health and integrity of our ecosystems. Moreover, a One Health approach, linking people, animals and the environment, can help address the full spectrum of disease control – from disease prevention to detection, preparedness, response and management – and improve and promote health and sustainability.
This approach can be applied at community, subnational, national, regional and global levels, and relies on effective joint management, communication, cooperation and coordination. By following a One Health approach, it will be easier for people to better understand the shared benefits, risks, trade-offs and opportunities to find fair and inclusive solutions.
