Introduction and Evolution of One Health, Ecohealth and Planetary Health

Abstract

The realization that the health of people, animals and the environment are connected has been pivotal to human survival since time immemorial and is sustained in the present day by Indigenous Peoples around the world and communities whose health and wellbeing is directly connected to the natural world. Within modern science, however, it has only been in the last several decades that integrated approaches to health have gained formal recognition and begun to shape policy and practice domains around the world. In this chapter, you will explore the emergence and evolution of One Health and learn about and reflect on the contemporary understanding of One Health. We highlight the importance of participatory and transdisciplinary work rooted in systems thinking and the power of using these approaches to address global health challenges such as malnutrition, disease emergence or pandemics. The evolution of One Health within the context of the development of complementary and synergistic approaches such as Ecohealth and Planetary Health is presented. You will look at their similarities and differences and consider the contributions that the various orientations can make to strengthening health and wellbeing around the world. Because it is important to understand where we have been and what has led to where we are today, we also present a historical timeline of the development of One Health and Ecohealth and highlight key events that fostered sharing, collaboration and transdisciplinary work in service of addressing interconnected human, animal and ecosystem health challenges.

One Health provides the thinking, concepts, tools, and practical approaches needed to tackle health problems in a collective and collaborative way. But what is One Health, and how can we implement it in our everyday life? This textbook provides an easy to understand, straightforward description of One Health concepts, principles and methods, structured around core competencies so that everyone can contribute to addressing today's most profound global problems more efficiently and effectively. As an entry-level learning resource for anybody with an interest in better understanding and implementing One Health, it is a comprehensive yet accessible introduction for undergraduate and postgraduate students, practitioners, decision-makers and researchers across a wide range of subject specialisms.