One Health: the 21st century challenge

In this month’s Veterinary Record, Edinburgh University’s Sue Welburn assesses recent progress in developing the One Health concept, and where the challenges remain.

She argues that “One Health offers a paradigm shift in our approach towards zoonotic diseases, and is essential to meet 21st century challenges arising from globalisation, climate change and population growth. It goes beyond comparative medicine to link animal and human health together with the ecosystems in which they live, focusing on the current and potential movements of zoonotic diseases among human, domestic animal and wildlife populations and recognising that human, animal and ecosystem health are inextricably linked. The intimate connectivity between animals, humans and the environment requires cooperation and collaboration between medical, veterinary, public health, environmental and ecosystem professionals.”