One for All, All for One

Officially, the American Veterinary Medical Association defines One Health as “the integrative effort of multiple disciplines working locally, nationally, and globally to attain optimal health for people, animals, and the environment.” So what does that really mean?

Everything I learned about the One Health movement in my research echoes one basic thought: that human health, animal health, and the health of the environment are all interrelated. Each is affected by the other. And as technology advances— enabling humans and animals to move around the globe more easily and populations to grow—the impact of humans on animal health, food sources, and ecosystems worldwide is ballooning.

We don’t live in isolation; we’re all part of a bigger world. The One Health movement acknowledges that and encourages scientists and health providers to work together to make the world a healthier place.