“One Health” is a concept that recognises the interconnection between the health of people, animals, and the environment. It emphasises the importance of collaboration across multiple sectors, including human health, animal health, environmental Health, and agriculture, to improve the health and well-being of all. In India, the One Health approach is becoming increasingly important as the country faces significant zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, climate change, and food security challenges. One Health India is a collaborative effort between government agencies, academia, and the private sector to address these challenges and promote sustainable and integrated approaches to health.
The term ‘One Health’ was coined in 2003-2004 during the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), which highlighted the link between human and animal health and the threats that diseases pose to food supplies and economies. In the last three decades, it has become increasingly evident that most emerging zoonotic infectious diseases arise in animals, particularly wildlife, and those human activities, such as changes in ecosystems and land use, agricultural intensification, urbanization, and international travel and trade, are the main drivers of their emergence. To understand the ecology of each emerging zoonotic disease, assess risks, and develop response and control plans, a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach across animal, human, and environmental health is necessary.
The One Health approach involves local, national, and global efforts to ensure optimal health for humans, animals, and the environment. The control of emerging and re-emerging diseases, which has significantly influenced human history, is closely linked to the One Health concept. The “One World-One Health” (OWOH) approach identifies four key elements: the geographical component, the ecological component, human activities, and food-agricultural activities.
Advantages:
1. Holistic approach: An institutional cooperation between the environmental, agricultural, and health sectors can help implement a One Health approach that looks at the interconnectivity between humans, animals, and the environment and the approach leads to a more holistic approach to tackling health issues and can lead to better outcomes in a timely manner.
2. Shared resources: By working together, the sectors can pool their resources and expertise, leading to more efficient and effective use of resources. This can help develop joint programs, research, and other initiatives.
3. Improved public health: Collaboration between the sectors can lead to a better understanding of the links between environmental factors, animal health, and human health and it helps in more effective prevention and control measures for diseases.
4. Better regulation: Institutional cooperation between sectors can lead to better regulation of activities that may impact the environment and public health. For example, a collaboration between the agricultural and environmental sectors can lead to the development of regulations promoting sustainable farming practices that reduce harmful chemicals.
Disadvantages:
1. Communication challenges: Different sectors may have their culture and working methods, and collaboration can lead to communication challenges and misunderstandings that may hinder collaboration.
2. Power dynamics: Different sectors may have different priorities and agendas, leading to power dynamics that could negatively impact collaboration.
3. Resource allocation: Collaboration between sectors may require allocating resources from different sectors, which can be challenging to coordinate.
4. Resistance to change: There may be resistance to change within different sectors, particularly if it means changing established practices or protocols. This could hinder the adoption of a One Health approach.
One Health India aims to create a framework for joint action and collaboration across various sectors to prevent and control zoonotic diseases, promote food safety and security, and protect the environment. This approach involves multiple activities, including research and surveillance, policy development, capacity building, and public awareness campaigns. Overall, the One Health approach is critical for improving public health and promoting sustainable development in India and beyond.