A Blueprint to Evaluate One Health.

Area of Science:

• Transdisciplinary health studies
• Public health policy
• Environmental science

Background:

• One Health (OH) integrates human, animal, and environmental health but faces challenges in implementation due to societal and disciplinary structures.
• Evidence of OH's added value is needed for policymakers, researchers, and funders.
• Existing approaches often fail to capture comprehensive health determinants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline a conceptual framework for One Health (OH) approaches.
• To detail the added value and outcomes achievable through OH.
• To provide a basis for measuring and monitoring integrated health initiatives.

Main Methods:

• Development of a conceptual framework during a workshop by the "Network for Evaluation of One Health."
• Systematic description of OH aspects, drivers, operations, and outcomes.
• Alignment of OH outcomes with sustainable development principles.

Main Results:

• The framework identifies social, economic, and environmental drivers of integrated health approaches.
• It outlines characteristic OH operations (thinking, planning, working) and necessary infrastructures (learning, sharing, systemic organization).
• Key OH outcomes include sustainability, health and welfare, interspecies equity, effectiveness, and efficiency, aligning with sustainable development goals.

Conclusions:

• The presented framework provides a systematic basis for understanding and evaluating One Health (OH) initiatives.
• It highlights the unique benefits of OH in achieving comprehensive health and sustainability outcomes.
• The framework supports the integration of disciplines, sectors, and stakeholders for improved health and welfare.