What is One Health?
One Health is an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems. It recognizes the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the wider environment (including ecosystems) are closely linked and inter-dependent. The approach mobilizes multiple sectors, disciplines and communities at varying levels of society to work together to foster well-being and tackle threats to health and ecosystems, while addressing the collective need for clean water, energy and air, safe and nutritious food, taking action on climate change, and contributing to sustainable development. According to the WHO (2023), One Health applies to a range of issues, including Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), zoonotic diseases, vector-borne diseases, food safety and foodborne diseases and environmental health.
Key underlying principles include:
Equity between sectors and disciplines; socio-political and multicultural parity (the doctrine that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities) and inclusion and engagement of communities and marginalized voices.
Socioecological equilibrium that seeks a harmonious balance between human–animal–environment interaction and acknowledging the importance of biodiversity, access tosufficient natural space and resources, and the intrinsic value of all living things within the ecosystem.
Stewardship and the responsibility of humans to change behaviour and adopt sustainable solutions that recognize the importance of animal welfare and the integrity of the whole ecosystem, thus securing the well-being of current and future generations.
Transdisciplinary and multisectoral collaboration, which includes all relevant disciplines, both modern and traditional forms of knowledge and a broad representative array of perspectives.
(OHHLEP et al., 2022)
Achieving One Health through Food Security
Food Security is an all-encompassing One Health issue. It underpins human health through human nutrition, animal health through animal agricultural practices and planetary health through the impacts that food production has on the environment and civil society. Food security in fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAS) is especially precarious and risk sensitive.
The One Health FIELD Network for Fragile and Conflict Affected States (FCAS) was launched in 2019 by Professor Lisa Boden, with the aim of bringing together diverse, multidisciplinary expertise to increase food system resilience and support both short and long-term sustainable development in fragile and complex contexts.
As well as recognising the importance of transdisciplinary work, the Network aims to build on past and current local experiences of food security, to help build a sustainable food future that is specific to the affected region. The One Health FIELD Network seeks to mobilise knowledge within both a local and global network of researchers, practitioners and decision-makers to ensure a successful transition away from humanitarian provision of short-term food supplies and agricultural inputs towards long-term contingency planning for food security and nutrition in FCAS.
Our aim is to identify and develop the tools, expertise and networks necessary for a food secure future in FCAS. The One Health FIELD Network has started with a series of projects in Syria and across the Middle East aligned with our research themes below. Head over to our Projects page to find out more.
Research Themes
At the core of our research are 6 major research themes that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Partnerships (SDG 17): We aim to build global, self-sustaining networks between local practitioners, academics, policymakers, and nongovernmental actors.
Food Security and Safety (SDG 2): A key research goal is mapping current food systems in FCAS and exploring how adequate nutrition and food security can be ensured in the long-term
Gender Equality (SDG 5): A concern for gender equality underpins all of work. We explore the gendered impacts of food insecurity, labour conditions, and health and wellbeing.
Natural Resources, Water and the Environment (SDGs 6 & 15): Our work recognises the need to uphold animal and planetary health, including water resources made precarious by conflict, displacement, and environmental change.
Health and Wellbeing (SDG 3): Our work explores the physical and mental health impacts of food insecurity and livelihood insecurity and displacement.
Livelihoods and Labour (SDGs 1 & 8): Understanding people’s current livelihoods, and how they can find decent work through agriculture, is essential to sustainable development.