Reinforcing the case for a One Health approach, Pg9

Key Highlights:

• The One Health approach, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, is gaining global traction following the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The WHO Pandemic Agreement, adopted on May 20, 2025, is a legally binding international treaty to enhance global pandemic prevention and response.
• The Quadripartite collaboration, including WHO, FAO, UNEP, and WOAH, launched the One Health Joint Plan of Action in October 2022.
• India has mobilized the National One Health Mission to integrate human, animal, and environmental health sectors for better pandemic preparedness and disease control.
• The One Health Summit in Lyon, France is currently underway, focusing on factors contributing to infectious and non-communicable diseases.

Detailed Insights:

• The One Health concept gained prominence after the SARS outbreak in 2003-2004 and the spread of avian influenza H5N1, highlighting the link between human and animal health.
• The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of coordination and data sharing, such as SARS-CoV-2 genetic data, in international vaccine development efforts.
• The WHO Pandemic Agreement focuses on equity by establishing a Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing system for rapid data sharing and equitable access to vaccines and treatments.
• India's National One Health Mission aims to enhance pandemic preparedness, disease surveillance, and control of zoonotic diseases through collaborative efforts.
• State-led initiatives like Odisha’s Climate Budget, Kerala’s carbon-neutral plan, and Tamil Nadu’s Green Climate Company serve as examples for climate-resilient development.
• The One Health Summit addresses factors like zoonotic reservoirs, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and sustainable food systems to strengthen health systems globally.

Key Concepts Involved:

• One Health: An integrated approach to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems.
• Zoonotic Disease: A disease that can be transmitted to humans from animals.
• Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): The ability of a microorganism to resist the effects of an antimicrobial drug.

One Health