Rethinking One Health: Microbial Foundations for Ecological Governance

The One Health (OH) framework has gained prominence in recent years, promoting an approach integrating the health of humans, animals, and the environment. However, its implementation as it pertains to the microbial world has largely prioritized zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, as well as pandemic preparedness and management, narrowing its ecological scope and confining microorganisms to the realm of pathogens. We explore the historical development of OH to identify key gaps and limitations and argue for the integration of microorganisms as ecologically constitutive, critical to sustain life processes and ecosystem functioning. We provide actionable recommendations, beginning with a shift in how microorganisms are conceptualized, extending to the development of microbial metrics and culminating in proposals for microbial governance to address current shortcomings and inform future policymaking. Collectively, these measures aim to strengthen the OH framework in confronting global challenges, including biodiversity loss and climate change, while aligning with its broader commitments to health and sustainable development.