Current initiatives in One Health: consolidating the One Health Global Network

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Veterinary Medicine
• Environmental Science

Background:

• The Global Response to Avian Influenza catalyzed the One Health movement.
• One Health addresses health risks at the human-animal-environment interface, crucial for food and economic security.
• Growing demand for livestock in Asia and Africa necessitates effective One Health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the importance of the One Health approach in managing global health risks.
• To present national and transnational partnerships established for One Health since 2006.
• To discuss the requirements for One Health sustainability and its emerging opportunities.

Main Methods:

• Review of initiatives and partnerships stemming from the Global Response to Avian Influenza.
• Analysis of the structure and governance of the One Health Global Network.
• Examination of the integration of human and animal health services, environmental factors, and public policy.

Main Results:

• The Global Response to Avian Influenza fostered a tripartite WHO/FAO/OIE partnership and initiatives like GLEWS.
• The One Health Global Network has been established, though its soft-governance model presents challenges.
• Numerous national and transnational partnerships have been formed since 2006.

Conclusions:

• One Health is a sustainable approach demanding political support, good governance, and long-term financial investment.
• Strong inter-sectoral links and validated socio-economic evidence are vital for One Health implementation.
• The professionalization of One Health and the development of a One Health culture present new opportunities for global health security.