One Health is not a new concept, but it has become more important in recent years. This is because many factors have changed interactions between people, animals, and our environment. These changes have led to the emergence and re-emergence of many diseases. For example, Human populations are growing and expanding into new geographic areas. As a result, more people live in close contact with wild and domestic animals. Close contact provides more opportunities for diseases to pass between animals and people; the earth has experienced changes in climate and land use, such as deforestation and intensive farming practices. Disruptions in environmental conditions and habitats provide new opportunities for diseases to pass to animals, and International travel and trade have increased, as a result, diseases can spread quickly across the globe.
Successful public health interventions require the cooperation of human, animal, and environmental health communities. By promoting this collaboration, we hope to achieve optimal health outcomes for both people and animals.
One Health Involves Everyone|: Experts and the community can work together to support One Health. A one Health approach to public health involves many experts working together to improve the health of people, animals — including pets, livestock, and wildlife — and the environment. Common types of professionals involved in One Health work include disease detectives, laboratorians, human healthcare providers, veterinarians, physicians, nurses, scientists, ecologists, and policy makers. However, One Health issues can affect everyone, from pet owners, travelers, and farmers to anyone who buys and eats food or drinks or swims in water.
Partnerships and communication between experts in animal, human, and environmental health are an essential part of the One Health approach. A One Health approach can also include other partners and organizations working on shared health threats. Working together allows us to have the biggest impact on improving health for both people and animals.