A Review of Public Health Ethics in Disease Prevention Among Marginalized Communities and The One Health Framework

Public health ethics provides a framework for ensuring disease prevention efforts are equitable and just. The One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health, has gained importance in managing emerging diseases. However, its ethical application in marginalized communities remains underexplored. Many of these communities-such as low-income groups, Indigenous populations, and racial minorities-face historical injustices, structural barriers, and inadequate access to preventive healthcare. Additionally, mistrust in public health institutions due to past ethical violations continues to hinder participation in disease prevention efforts. This literature review synthesizes key ethical concerns surrounding One Health in marginalized communities, categorizing them into five themes: (1) the ethical justifications for One Health, (2) barriers to access and policy gaps, (3) mistrust in public health, (4) inequities in preventive measures, and (5) ethical considerations for animal welfare. The discussion highlights policy failures, ethical gaps, and necessary reforms to ensure that One Health strategies are inclusive, transparent, and community-driven. The study concludes that achieving ethical One Health implementation requires policy changes, improved community engagement, and greater equity in resource distribution to prevent health disparities in marginalized communities.