One health
Addressing complex health challenges requires a One Health approach. By integrating insights from human, animal, and environmental health, we can improve food safety, prevent disease, and develop effective, cross-disciplinary interventions.
One Health is an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems.It recognizes that 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.
One Health is a concept that provides a holistic view of health and is an important research area where SLU’s research and expertise contribute new and important knowledge, both nationally and globally. One Health addresses health-related issues at the interface between animals, humans, and ecosystems and requires an interdisciplinary approach.
Today, we face many crucial health-related issues for humans, animals, and our ecosystems, such as the increased spread of infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance, loss of biodiversity, and climate change. Solving the complex challenges we face requires collaboration between researchers from different disciplines. SLU contributes important knowledge in several subject areas, such as veterinary medicine, agronomy, economics, biology, ecology, water, forestry, and social sciences.
Examples of research within this field
Sustainable innovative drinking water treatment solutions – SIDwater
The aim of the project led by Professor Lutz Ahrens is to ensure sustainability of municipal drinking water supplies and reuse by developing new innovative treatment processes for removing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), dissolved organic matter (DOM) and other emerging contaminants.
Cow and calf together?
In an on-going research project led by Professor Sigrid Agenäs some cows in the dairy herd at the The Swedish Livestock Research Centre are kept together with their calves in the beginning of the lactation.
The aim of the project is to test if calves can be integrated in automatic milking systems (AMS) and to evaluate the effects on milk yield, calf growth, health and fertility on cows and the heifer calves born in the project. There is interest from farmers and consumers in keeping dairy calves with their dams but there is very little support from science on how to go about it.
Multifunctional urban green areas
Professor Marcus Hedblom’s research targets green infrastructure in urban areas, including urban forests, parks and other green spaces in and around our towns and cities. He looks at more species-rich alternatives to lawns, and how humans perceive nature and biodiversity through their senses. Marcus Hedblom also studies birds in urban settings, and how they are affected by densification and other disruptions. The goal is to generate urban planning that promotes people’s health and well-being while preserving the cities’ biodiversity.
Lecture by Professor Lotta Berg on Food sustainability and Food security
Lotta Berg's research focuses on the interaction between animals, management and the environment. Her main focus is on farm animals including farmed fish, but she also works with companion animals and wildlife. Poultry housing, effects of animal welfare legislation and control, and animal welfare at slaughter and killing, plus the interface between animal welfare and animal and human health (One Health) are some of her specific areas of interest.