Connecting the Dots: Systems Thinking Highlights the Role of the Environment Sector in One Health Operationalization

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Ecology
• Veterinary Medicine

Background:

• One Health (OH) approaches are vital for preventing infectious diseases by considering human, animal, and environmental health interdependencies.
• Global changes like climate change and biodiversity loss increase the importance of the environment sector in OH, though it's often underrepresented.
• Existing OH strategies emphasize intersectoral communication and collaboration, but may overlook foundational interpersonal and structural connections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the value of systems thinking in operationalizing One Health (OH).
• To highlight the critical need for enhanced connections with the environment sector within OH frameworks.
• To emphasize the importance of foundational relationships for effective OH collaboration.

Main Methods:

• A viewpoint analysis integrating systems thinking principles with One Health concepts.
• Examination of the structures and mental models influencing stakeholder engagement in OH.
• Discussion of the role of interpersonal and intersectoral connections in zoonotic disease prevention.

Main Results:

• Systems thinking reveals the need for stronger connections among human, animal, and environment stakeholders in OH.
• The environment sector's role is critical for addressing global health threats and zoonotic disease emergence.
• Prioritizing interpersonal and intersectoral connections is essential before communication and collaboration can be fully effective.

Conclusions:

• Strengthening the environment sector's integration into One Health is paramount for global pandemic preparedness.
• A systems thinking approach enhances the holistic prevention of zoonotic diseases.
• Building robust connections is foundational for effective early identification and response to zoonotic health risks.