WHO recommends funding “One Health” initiatives to improve global and human health.

The World Health Organization, also known as the WHO, urges world leaders to take more political initiative and engage in the “One Health” strategy in order to avoid and address shared dangers that impact the environment, animals, plants, and human health and well-being collectively.

In an effort to raise awareness of the value of the idea of one health worldwide, WHO is participating in the ninth annual “One Health Day” campaign today alongside local organizations. Understanding how human decisions and activities may impact the health of animals and the environment is essential to One Health. Everyone has the chance to learn more about the links underlying the health of people, animals, plants, and the environment on One Health Day.

One Health is a tried-and-true method for developing policies and working across sectors to prevent the emergence and reemergence of zoonotic and vector-borne diseases, ensure food safety and sustainably produce food, lower the rate of antibiotic-resistant infections, and address environmental issues to improve the health of people, animals, and the environment in general. In order to combat serious health problems, it opens up opportunities for the entire society to be mobilized, including doctors, veterinarians, researchers in epidemiology, public health professionals, wildlife specialists, community leaders, and representatives of other sectors.

One Health initiatives not only save lives and improve wellbeing but also have significant financial advantages. According to estimates from the World Bank and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, or FAO, One Health initiatives could generate at least US$ 37 billion.

Furthermore, investing in One Health will require less than 10 percent of this total. For example, a One Health approach to prevention through reduced deforestation would yield an additional US$ 4.3 billion in benefits from reduced carbon dioxide emissions.

World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Mr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “A unified healthcare approach makes financial sense, logical sense, and public health sense.” It is obvious that protecting and improving human health also means protecting and improving the general well-being of animals and the planet, which is the source of all life. We are committed to assisting countries in incorporating One Health into significant national policy, and we welcome the expanding global political consensus on the topic.