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The One Health concept underscores the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. It emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts across multiple disciplines, particularly among veterinary professionals, human health professionals, and environmental scientists. For veterinary professionals, One Health should be an ideal and fundamental framework that influences their daily work, from disease prevention and control to improving public health outcomes. As emerging diseases increasingly span species and ecosystems, veterinary professionals play an integral role in understanding and mitigating the risks posed by zoonotic diseases, environmental factors, and animal health issues that impact animals and humans.
Understanding One Health
One Health is a multidisciplinary approach to understanding health and disease that recognizes the interrelationship between humans, animals, and the environment. It is grounded in the understanding that the health of each of these entities is inextricably linked. Historically, veterinary medicine has focused primarily on animal health, but as the world becomes more interconnected, the scope of veterinary care and research has expanded to encompass issues that affect public health and the environment.
This approach is increasingly important due to the growing recognition of zoonotic diseases—diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans. Zoonoses account for a significant proportion of emerging infectious diseases, and the ability to manage and prevent these diseases requires veterinary professionals to work closely with human health experts and environmental scientists.
