Context:

• The 1995 film Outbreak portrayed a fictional zoonotic virus caused by human activities like deforestation and wildlife trade, spreading rapidly across countries.
• Though fictional at the time, it foreshadowed the real-world COVID-19 pandemic decades later.
• The film also reflected early ideas of One Health, highlighting the link between human, animal, and environmental health.
• Today, One Health is widely recognised, but its implementation remains slow.
• This article highlights the growing relevance of the One Health approach in addressing global health challenges, linking human, animal, and environmental health while examining lessons from pandemics, climate change, and policy responses.

From Fiction to Reality: The Rise of the One Health Approach

• Global Recognition of One Health
  • The World Health Day theme highlights the need for a One Health approach and scientific collaboration.
  • Coordination challenges across governments and nations hinder effective crisis response.
• Evolution of One Health Concept
  • The term “One Health” emerged in 2003–04 during SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and gained importance with avian influenza (H5N1).
  • The Manhattan Principles (2004) recognised links between human, animal, and environmental health.
    • Manhattan Principles were derived at a 2004 Wildlife Conservation Society meeting.
• Drivers of Zoonotic Diseases
  • Most emerging diseases originate in animals due to:
    • Ecosystem changes and land use
    • Agricultural intensification
    • Urbanisation and global travel
• One Health Framework
• Defined as an integrated approach balancing the health of people, animals, and ecosystems.
• Requires multi-sectoral collaboration to address health and environmental challenges.
• Lessons from COVID-19
  • The pandemic highlighted both lack of coordination and benefits of global collaboration.
  • Initiatives like data sharing and vaccine development showcased the importance of cooperation.
  • The WHO Pandemic Agreement (2025) aims to strengthen global preparedness and equitable access.
• Institutional Efforts
  • Globally led by the Quadripartite (WHO, FAO, UNEP, WOAH - World Organisation for Animal Health) with a Joint Plan of Action (2022).
  • India launched the National One Health Mission to improve surveillance and pandemic preparedness.
• Climate Change and Health Link
  • Climate change is increasing stress on ecosystems, making integrated responses essential.
  • Continuous monitoring and mitigation efforts are needed.
• State-Level Initiatives in India
  • Examples include:
    • Odisha’s Climate Budget
    • Kerala’s carbon-neutral plan
    • Tamil Nadu’s Green Climate initiatives
  • These serve as models for broader implementation.

Coordinated Solutions: Advancing the One Health Approach

• Focus of the One Health Summit
  • The summit in Lyon addresses key drivers of disease, including:
    • Zoonotic diseases and vectors
    • Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
    • Food systems and pollution
• Aim of the Summit
  • To promote international and interdisciplinary dialogue.
  • To propose solutions for:
    • Stronger health systems
    • Better global coordination
    • Reformed institutional frameworks
• Growing Global Consensus
• Increasing political support for One Health as a practical and necessary approach.
• Recognised as important for public health, economic stability, and global cooperation.
• Core Message
  • In an interconnected world, effective solutions require integrated approaches that link human, animal, and environmental health.

Conclusion

• One Health offers a comprehensive framework for tackling interconnected health risks, but its success depends on stronger coordination, sustained political commitment, and effective implementation across sectors and nations.