One Health: a perspective from the human health sector

Area of Science:

• Interdisciplinary studies
• Public health
• Global health security

Background:

• The One Health concept emphasizes intersectoral collaboration, yet the human health sector often prioritizes human health security.
• This narrow focus overlooks crucial aspects like trade, commerce, livelihoods, and sustainable development, which significantly contribute to societal well-being.
• A lack of collaborative culture, clear goals, and operational frameworks hinders the practical implementation of One Health initiatives beyond emergency responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the disconnect between the human health sector's perspective and the broader One Health concept.
• To advocate for the integration of non-health sectors' concerns into One Health strategies.
• To emphasize the need for clear operating principles and flexible approaches for effective intersectoral collaboration.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of the One Health approach.
• Review of existing challenges in intersectoral collaboration within One Health.
• Identification of the need for best practice models and trans-sectoral measurement methods.

Main Results:

• The human health sector's predominant focus on security impedes comprehensive One Health implementation.
• Effective One Health partnerships necessitate flexible intersectoral collaboration and clear operating principles.
• There is a critical need for methods to measure risks, burden, and costs across sectors.

Conclusions:

• Achieving sustainable One Health partnerships requires a paradigm shift in the human health sector's perspective.
• Developing and adopting trans-sectoral methods and best practices are essential for successful One Health implementation.
• Informal collaborations among researchers and experts are vital for advancing One Health methodologies and integrating societal well-being.