One Health is a decade’s old concept recently resurrected by veterinary leadership at the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) by past President Dr. Roger Mahr. He started a national non-profit effort called the One Health Commission. There’s another national One Health organization called the One Health Initiative.
One Health can be viewed in many ways, and defined differently depending on your perspective, but essentially it concerns the close relationship of the health of animals, people, and our environments, and how we need multiple disciplines to work together to improve the health of all three. That is, we cannot have a single view when approaching health issues because forgetting about one angle impacts the health of the other two.
Still confused? Let me give you an example.
If we take a disease, let’s say that caused by roundworms, and all we do is treat animals for roundworms, then we won’t necessarily prevent people from getting infected with roundworms. Why? Because roundworm eggs are deposited in the soil through feces, and animals (including people) can accidentally eat roundworm eggs when they’re messing about in contaminated soil.
The solution? Treat infected animals, prevent exposure of people and animals to contaminated soil, and if you can’t prevent exposure to contaminated soil, then for animals- deworm regularly- and for people- wash your hands before putting them to your mouth.
But it’s not just about diseases you can get from animals (called zoonoses). It covers a wide range of things. This makes thing complicated, but that’s what appeals to Dr. Anna about the whole concept.
