Utilizing the "One Health" Model to Study Human Aging in Urban Environments

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Environmental Health
• Aging Research

Background:

• The One Health concept primarily focuses on zoonotic diseases, integrating human and animal health.
• Non-infectious, chronic diseases are a leading cause of global human mortality but are underrepresented in One Health research.
• Existing One Health research has shown success in studying human health in rural settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose applying the One Health framework to non-infectious, chronic diseases, specifically the impact of urban environments on human aging.
• To explore potential causal mechanisms for aging processes influenced by urban stressors that may have been previously overlooked.
• To advocate for the expansion of the One Health model into urban settings for a holistic understanding of human-animal-environment interactions.

Main Methods:

• This study presents a viewpoint and conceptual framework.
• It suggests integrating human, animal, and environmental factors within urban contexts.
• The approach involves analyzing the impact of urban stressors on human aging.

Main Results:

• Applying the One Health framework to urban aging can uncover novel insights into disease etiology.
• The integrated approach has the potential to identify previously unrecognized causal pathways.
• This viewpoint suggests a paradigm shift in how urban public health challenges are addressed.

Conclusions:

• The One Health framework is a valuable tool for understanding complex public health issues beyond infectious diseases.
• Expanding the One Health concept to urban environments is crucial for addressing chronic diseases and aging.
• Integrated research on human, animal, and environmental interactions in cities can lead to significant public health advancements.