One Health Newsletter
The History of One Health: A Micro-Editorial
Authors
Riyam Hasan, M.S., and Ellyn R. Mulcahy, Ph.D., MPH
The One Health concept has ancient roots and emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Hippocrates' teachings have had a lasting impact on the One Health concept, and over time, One Health has developed from a concept into its current form. The germ theory of disease established the foundation for the modern One Health approach. This concept was acknowledged by the World Health Organization in the 1980s, but its principles can be traced back to the 19th century. Today, professionals, organizations, and governments collaborate to address global health challenges, demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach. Embracing One Health can tackle the complex health challenges of the 21st century and create a healthier world for all living beings and the planet.
In the article, "Unveiling the One Health Paradigm: Exploring its Origins in the Chicago Stockyards," Antoinette Lona explores the pivotal role of the Chicago Stockyards in shaping the One Health approach. The article emphasizes examining the challenges posed by the stockyards and sheds light on the emergence of understanding the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Lona's work underscores the significance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the One Health paradigm in addressing the complex health challenges of the 21st century.
Delving into Sharma's article, we investigate how satellite data from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) can be utilized to facilitate decision-making for addressing global health risks within the framework of the One Health approach. Satellite data can tackle complex health challenges to understand and prepare for environmental health risks. The goal is to use NASA's satellite capabilities to better anticipate, monitor, and respond to environmental health threats exacerbated by climate change. Collaborations between public health, Earth science, and other fields are needed to achieve this goal. NASA's satellite data helps to monitor and predict risks, such as algal blooms, vector-borne diseases, and wildfire impacts, promoting a comprehensive approach to One Health issues.
Continuing to explore One Health's history with Barroga's article, we learn how the United States and Europe collaborated for over a decade to establish food safety measures for the shellfish trade. The negotiations involved technical discussions and evaluations, leading to the US providing scientific analysis and the European Union (EU) adopting new guidelines. Ultimately, this collaborative effort resulted in safe shellfish trade, highlighting the significance of science-based evidence in shaping trade-related policies.
Malnutrition in Ouologuem’s article is a pressing public health concern in Mali, particularly affecting children under five, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and the elderly. Factors contributing to this issue include high population growth, low education rates, especially among women, and the effects of climate change. These are compounded by limited access to food, clean water, and transportation in rural areas. The Malian government, supported by national and international partners, is implementing the Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Action Plan 2021-2025 to address malnutrition and mitigate its adverse effects on the economy through prevention, treatment, and community-based nutrition programs.
The One Health Newsletter strives to look forward to the future of One Health but also learns from the lessons in the history of One Health. We thank our contributors to this issue and invite our readers to immerse themselves in these varied topics and reflect on the past, present, and future.
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