The Covid-19 pandemic has revealed the urgency of rethinking our approach to health. Today, the concept of “One Health,” which connects human, animal, and environmental health, has emerged in discussions, although it is sometimes confused or misinterpreted. Implemented properly, it is a proven approach to strengthen global health prevention.
Marisa Peyre and François Roger from Cirad highlight the interconnected nature of human, animal, and environmental health issues. Amidst multiple health, environmental, and climate crises, the “One Health” concept has become central for analysis and response.
Established principles from the 2004 “One World, One Health” conference recognize the close interdependence between human, animal, and ecosystem health, calling for an integrated approach to prevent health, environmental, and social crises.
While the One Health approach has gained increasing interest, its research application and implementation are often unclear and misunderstood. It is sometimes reduced to a political slogan or a biomedical management of zoonoses, neglecting the ecological, social and economic factors that impact overall health and crisis dynamics.
Efforts for prevention have been strengthened over the years by initiatives like PREZODE, a global coalition supporting One Health-based preventive operations in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. These initiatives aim to understand, reduce, and detect early health risks to prevent outbreaks.
Actions in regions like Guinea, Madagascar, Gabon, and Southeast Asia illustrate the effectiveness of One Health in addressing emerging health risks through ecosystem management and surveillance strategies.
However, challenges like institutional fragmentation, short-term funding, and limited cross-sector communication remain impediments to effective governance. Strengthening data infrastructure, engaging communities, and integrating gender equality are key steps towards inclusive and efficient One Health strategies.
In conclusion, investing in One Health prevention should be seen as a strategic investment rather than a cost. These preventive approaches can lead to sustainable transformations in agriculture, health, environment, and food policies, enhancing resilience and livelihoods of communities. A transformative One Health approach requires sustained political commitment, international cooperation, and integration of social and ecological dimensions in health risk management.
The upcoming One Health Summit in Lyon in April 2026, organized by PREZODE, will emphasize these messages, showcasing the progress and challenges in implementing One Health principles worldwide.
