SLU Future One Health

About One Health

Page reviewed:  09/04/2025

Definition of One Health

One Health is an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems. It recognises that the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the wider environment (including ecosystems) are closely linked and interdependent. The approach mobilises 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. Reference: The quadripartite (WHO, FAO, WOAH, UNEP).

Why focus on One Health?

The One Health approach focuses on the interface between animal, human, and ecosystem health. A collaborative and multi-disciplinary approach, cutting across these boundaries, is needed to understand complex health challenges, such as the spread of disease and antimicrobial resistance, how human health can benefit from animal exposure, green environments and nature, and common lifestyle diseases in animals and humans.

What does the concept of One Health mean?

We share our lives with animals and are affected by each other's health. We are also affected by the environment we live in. To solve the complex challenges we face, researchers from different fields must work together and provide knowledge that helps decision-makers act with a long-term, sustainable agenda. In this short film, we try to explain how everything is connected, the so-called One Health approach. In this short film, we try to explain the One Health approach – and how everything is connected. 

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