ONE HEALTH ENVIRONMENT OPEN PLATFORM

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Key Resources on Environmental Literacy

Constructing a One Health governance architecture: asystematic review and analysis of governancemechanisms for One Health

The integration of human, animal, and environmental health in the One Health framework is crucial for tackling complex health and environmental issues. Governance structures in One Health initiatives are essential for coordinating efforts, fostering partnerships, and establishing effective policy frameworks. This systematic review, registered with PROSPERO, aims to evaluate governance architectures in One Health initiatives. Searches in PubMed, Scopus, WoS, and Cochrane from 2000 to 2023 were conducted. Key terms focused on peer-reviewed articles, systematic reviews, and relevant grey literature. Nine eligible studies were selected based on inclusion criteria. Data synthesis aimed to assess governance mechanisms’ functionality and effectiveness. Among 1277 sources screened, nine studies across diverse regions were eligible. An adapted framework assessed implementation mechanisms of international agreements, categorizing them into Engagement, Coordination, Policies, and Financial domains. The findings highlight the importance of effective governance, stakeholder engagement, and collaborative approaches in addressing One Health’s challenges. Identified challenges include deficient intersectoral collaboration, funding constraints, and stakeholder conflicts. Robust governance frameworks are pivotal in One Health paradigms, emphasizing stakeholder engagement and collaboration. These insights guide policymakers, practitioners, and researchers in refining governance structures to enhance human-animal health and environmental sustainability. Acknowledging study limitations, such as methodological variations and limited geographical scope, underscores the importance of further research in this area.

Barriers and enablers to the implementation of one health strategies in developing countries: a systematic review

Introduction: One Health is a concept that establishes the link between humans, animals and the environment in a collaborative approach. Since One Health’s inception, several interventions have been developed in many regions and
countries worldwide to tackle complex health problems, including epidemics and pandemics. In the developed world, many collaborative platforms have been created with an international strategy to address issues specific or not to their environment. Unfortunately, there is a lack of synthesis on the challenges and opportunities Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) face.

Methods: Following The Preferred Reporting Elements for PRISMA Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), we conducted a systematic review. We applied a search strategy to electronic bibliographic databases (PubMed, Embase, Global Health, Web of Science and CINAHL). We assessed the included articles’ quality using the Mixed Methods Appraisal tool (MMAT).

Results and discussion: A total of 424 articles were initially identified through the electronic database search. After removing duplicates (n = 68), 356 articles were screened for title and abstract, and 16 were retained for full-text screening. The identified barriers were the lack of political will, weak governance and lack of human, financial and logistics resources. Concerning the enablers, we listed the existence of a reference framework document for One Health activities, good coordination between the different sectors at the various levels, the importance of joint and multisectoral meetings that advocated the One Health approach and the Availability of funds and adequate resources coupled with the support of Technical and Financial partners.

Conclusion: One Health strategy and interventions must be implemented widely to address the rising burden of emerging infectious diseases, zoonotic diseases, and antimicrobial resistance. Addressing those challenges and reinforcing the enablers to promote managing global health challenges is necessary.

Social insights on the implementation of One Health in zoonosis prevention and control: a scoping review

Background: The One Health (OH) concept has been promoted widely around the globe. OH framework is expected to be applied as an integrated approach to support addressing zoonotic diseases as a significant global health issue and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of zoonosis prevention and control. This review is intended to overview the social impact of the implementation of OH on zoonosis prevention and control.

Methods: A scoping review of studies in the past 10 years was performed to overview the integration feature of OH in zoonosis prevention and control and the social impacts of OH. PubMed and Web of Science were searched for studies published in English between January 2011 and June 2021. The included studies were selected based on predefined criteria.

Results: Thirty-two studies were included in this review, and most of them adopted qualitative and semi-qualitative methods. More than 50% of the studies focused on zoonosis prevention and control. Most studies were conducted in low- and middle-income countries in Africa and Asia. Applying OH approach in diseases control integrates policymakers, stakeholders, and academics from various backgrounds. The impact of OH on economic is estimated that it may alleviate the burden of diseases and poverty in the long term, even though more financial support might be needed at the initial stage of OH implementation. OH implementation considers social and ecological factors related to zoonosis transmission and provides comprehensive strategies to assess and address related risks in different communities according to regions and customs.

Conclusions: Based on reviewed literature, although there seems to be a lack of guidelines for assessing and visualizing the outcomes of OH implementation, which may limit the large-scale adoption of it, evidence on the contributions of implementing OH concepts on zoonosis prevention and control indicates long-term benefits to society, including a better integration of politics, stakeholders and academics to improve their cooperation, a potential to address economic issues caused by zoonosis, and a comprehensive consideration on social determinants of health during zoonosis prevention and control.

The application of the One Health approach in the management of five major zoonotic diseases using the World Bank domains: A scoping review

The international authorities, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, World Health Organization, World Organization for Animal Health, United Nations Environment Programme, and World Bank, have endorsed the One Health concept as an effective approach to optimize the health of people, animals, and the environment. The One Health concept is considered as an integrated and unifying approach with the objective of sustainably balancing and optimizing the health of people, animals, and ecosystems. Despite variations in its definitions, the underlying principle remains consistent – recognizing the interconnected and interdependent health of humans, animals, and the environment, necessitating interdisciplinary collaboration to optimize health outcomes. The One Health approach has been applied in numerous countries for detecting, managing, and controlling diseases. Moreover, the concept has found application in various areas, including antimicrobial resistance, food safety, and ecotoxicology, with a growing demand. There is a growing consensus that the One Health concept and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals mutually reinforce each other. The World Bank has recommended five domains as foundational building blocks for operationalising the One Health approach, which includes: i) One Health stakeholders, roles, and responsibilities; ii) financial and personal resources; iii) communication and information; iv) technical infrastructure; and v) governance. The domains provide a generalised overview of the One Health concept and guide to its application. We conducted a scoping review following the five-staged Arksey and O’Malley’s framework. The objective of the review was to map and synthesise available evidence of application of the One Health approach to five major zoonotic diseases using the World Bank domains. Publications from the year 2004, marking the inception of the term ‘One Health,’ to 2022 were included. Information was charted and categorised against the World Bank domains identified as a priori. We included 1132 records obtained from three databases: Embase, Medline, and Global Health; as well as other sources. After excluding duplicates, screening for titles and abstracts, and full text screening, 20 articles that contained descriptions of 29 studies that implemented the One Health approach were selected for the review. We found that included studies varied in the extent to which the five domains were utilised. Less than half the total studies (45%) used all the five domains and none of the studies used all the sub-domains. The environmental sector showed an underrepresentation in the application of the One Health approach to zoonotic diseases as 14 (48%) studies in 10 articles did not mention it as a stakeholder. Sixty two percent of the studies mentioned receiving support from international partners in implementing the One Health approach and 76% of the studies were supported by international donors to conduct the studies. The review identified disparate funding mechanisms employed in the implementation of the One Health approach. However, there were limited discussions on plans for continuity and viability of these funding mechanisms in the future.

How studies on zoonotic risks in wildlife implement the one health approach – A systematic review

Background: The recent COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence of infectious diseases at the human-animal interface highlight the global challenge of mitigating zoonotic risks. The One Health approach emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, urging for holistic and interdisciplinary strategies in disease prevention. Despite growing interest, the attention to wildlife in pandemic prevention remains limited. This systematic literature review aims to evaluate recent One Health research on zoonotic diseases and wildlife in terms of study design, interdisciplinary collaboration, and participatory approaches. Key questions addressed include the consideration of One Health domains, disciplinary involvement, and the inclusion of nonacademic stakeholders.

Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, PubMed and Web of Science were searched for primary research papers on zoonotic diseases and wildlife from 2018 to 2023. Eligibility criteria included a focus on wildlife, zoonotic diseases, and adoption of the One Health approach.

Results: A total of 228 primary research papers were retrieved. Out of these, 105 studies were included in the review. Few studies integrated human, animal, and environmental domains simultaneously in data collection (4.8 %) and knowledge generation (29.5 %). While extensive knowledge was generated for animal health (97.1 %) and human health (84.8 %), environmental health (34.3 %) remained underrepresented. Laboratory methods predominated (82.9 %), with limited integration of social science methodologies (19 %). The majority were epidemiological studies (86.7 %), yet analytical design within these was sparse (17.1 %). Participation of nonacademic stakeholders was limited (36.2 % included non-academics; 3.8 % encompassed participative approaches).

Conclusions: The synthesis of the domains human, animal and environmental health remained fragmentary in the studies reviewed. Environmental health is underrepresented and the interdisciplinary involvement of social sciences lacks. Neglecting these fields of competence impedes comprehensive understanding of disease dynamics and hampers effective zoonosis prevention strategies. In result, greater inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration, along with participatory approaches, are still needed for advancing One Health research

ECDC One Health Framework

“ECDC One Health Framework” outlines the strategy of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) to integrate the One Health approach into its activities for the prevention and control of communicable diseases, with the aim of improving public health across EU/EEA Member States. This framework seeks to strengthen interdisciplinary and cross-border collaboration between ECDC, the European Commission, other EU agencies, and Member States to tackle health threats such as zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and climate change.

The document emphasizes that One Health is founded on the understanding that human, animal, plant, and environmental health are interconnected, and therefore all three dimensions must be considered when addressing health threats. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that the majority of zoonotic diseases originate from animal reservoirs and that the public health sector alone cannot provide adequate responses. Consequently, ECDC envisions an integrated structure that combines surveillance systems, data sharing, risk assessment, and prevention strategies.

In the introduction, the framework highlights the new challenges the EU faces, including emerging infectious diseases and climate change-related risks, as well as the impacts of these changes on health equity and social vulnerabilities. The “planetary health” approach, as developed by the Lancet Commission, reinforces the need for One Health by emphasizing how the degradation of natural systems negatively affects human health. Resolutions adopted by the European Parliament in 2022 also underscore that the One Health approach should be a guiding principle in EU public health policies.

ECDC’s strategic objectives are centered around establishing internal and external One Health collaboration mechanisms, developing integrated surveillance and early warning systems across the EU, creating joint risk assessment protocols, supporting research and innovation, and closing knowledge gaps on AMR and climate change impacts. To achieve these goals, ECDC works closely with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the European Environment Agency (EEA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) through the “EU Cross-Agency One Health Task Force.”

The ECDC One Health Framework is not just a technical plan but a roadmap for strengthening public health systems and enhancing preparedness for future health crises. Climate change, migration, pressure on natural resources, and antimicrobial resistance are expected to reshape the landscape of infectious diseases. These factors are addressed through scenario planning and anticipatory tools within ECDC’s Foresight Programme. The framework proposes proactive, holistic solutions to tackle challenges such as shifts in human-animal interfaces, the emergence of new zoonotic pathogens, the expansion of vector-borne diseases, and food chain risks.

The document concludes by emphasizing that the One Health approach is essential for ensuring public health security both in the EU and globally. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, information sharing, and efficient resource management, more resilient health systems can be built. ECDC’s approach serves not only as a foundation for disease prevention and control but also as a strategic tool for advancing health equity, environmental protection, and sustainable development.

ONE HEALTH HIGH- LEVEL EXPERT PANEL ANNUAL REPORT 2021

“ONE HEALTH HIGH-LEVEL EXPERT PANEL (OHHLEP) Annual Report 2021” covers the activities and outcomes of the One Health High-Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP), which was established in 2021 through the partnership of FAO, OIE, WHO, and UNEP. OHHLEP was founded in May 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the risks stemming from human-animal-environment interactions, and the need for a multidisciplinary and holistic approach to prevent and control zoonotic diseases. The panel consists of 26 experts selected from different continents, bringing together a wide range of expertise in areas such as infectious diseases, ecosystem health, social sciences, food systems, and health policy.

The report is structured into four main sections: Introduction and Work Plan, 2021 Work Plan Progress Report, Conclusions and Next Steps, and Annexes. The introduction outlines the panel’s purpose, mandate, and multi-stakeholder structure. As part of its work plan, OHHLEP prioritized the development of a new One Health definition, a global One Health resource inventory, the design of an integrated surveillance system, identifying key drivers of zoonotic spillover, the One Health Joint Plan of Action (OH-JPA), and a Theory of Change. The panel’s collaborations with global initiatives such as PREZODE, ZODIAC, and SAGO are also highlighted.

The report emphasizes that the One Health approach considers human, animal, and ecosystem health as interconnected and requires a cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary perspective. The new One Health definition introduced by the panel in 2021 is grounded in principles such as ecological balance, community participation, equity, social inclusion, sustainability, and collaborative governance. This definition also underlines the necessity of integrated policies in global health security as well as food, water, energy, and environmental systems.

Throughout 2021, OHHLEP conducted comprehensive reviews and analyses to identify the main drivers of zoonotic diseases, including agricultural expansion, wildlife trade, climate change, and land-use changes. It explored the applicability of industrial risk management models like HACCP for zoonotic spillover prevention. Additionally, the panel proposed a multi-sectoral model for One Health surveillance, designed to integrate data from human health, animal health, and environmental monitoring. Barriers to data sharing, inter-laboratory collaboration, and the effectiveness of early warning systems were also evaluated.

One of the key contributions of the panel was to support the One Health Joint Plan of Action (OH-JPA). This 5-year roadmap addresses zoonotic epidemics, food safety hazards, antimicrobial resistance, and environment-health interactions. OHHLEP played a critical role in developing the theoretical framework and mid-term objectives for this strategic plan.

In the Conclusion, the report outlines OHHLEP’s priorities for 2022: finalizing the Theory of Change, establishing a globally accessible One Health database, testing and publishing the integrated surveillance model, and disseminating a scientific framework for risk analysis of zoonotic spillover. In addition, the panel aims to strengthen pandemic prevention and response strategies, enhance preparedness for emerging health threats, and advance interdisciplinary collaboration.

ONE HEALTH HIGH- LEVEL EXPERT PANEL ANNUAL REPORT 2022

“ONE HEALTH HIGH-LEVEL EXPERT PANEL (OHHLEP) Annual Report 2022” presents the second annual activities and contributions of OHHLEP, which was established in 2021 under the Quadripartite partnership of FAO, UNEP, WHO, and WOAH. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the risks arising from the human-animal-environment interface and the urgent need for interdisciplinary approaches to prevent and control zoonotic diseases. In this context, OHHLEP has become a central body providing international scientific advice and policy recommendations.

The report is structured into five main sections: forewords, introduction, work plan, progress report, and annexes. In its introduction, the report elaborates on OHHLEP’s founding purpose and structure, emphasizing that the One Health approach, which treats human, animal, and ecosystem health as an integrated whole, has become a cornerstone of global health policies. Throughout 2022, the panel reinforced the One Health definition developed in the previous year, ensuring its widespread adoption in international guidelines and scientific publications such as The Lancet and PLOS Pathogens. Moreover, the panel played a critical role in shaping the framework of the Quadripartite Joint Plan of Action (OH-JPA) for 2022–2026 and in its official launch at the Berlin World Health Summit in October 2022.

The report provides detailed insight into the key activities of 2022. The panel conducted an extensive review to identify the main drivers behind zoonotic spillover, highlighting human-induced factors such as wildlife trade, agricultural expansion, climate change, and habitat fragmentation. It also designed a model surveillance system integrating data from human, animal, and environmental health, showing how such a system could be both economically efficient and more effective in detecting outbreaks at an early stage. Seventeen case studies of best practices in One Health implementation were compiled and prepared for publication in 2023.

OHHLEP’s “Theory of Change,” supported by an article in The Lancet, reflects its vision of broadening the global health security framework to fully incorporate One Health principles. Additionally, the panel produced a white paper on the prevention of zoonotic spillover, emphasizing the need to prioritize prevention within pandemic preparedness and response efforts. The panel has also collaborated with the Pandemic Fund hosted by the World Bank and other international initiatives. Throughout 2022, OHHLEP was prominently represented at major global events such as the Berlin World Health Summit, the 7th World One Health Congress in Singapore, COP27, and the G7 Science Dialogue, participating in over 126 events across 25 countries to promote the One Health vision.

The conclusion underscores that the emergence of new health threats—such as mPox, Ebola-Sudan, Marburg, and H5N1—alongside the continuing impact of COVID-19 has made interdisciplinary cooperation and the One Health approach more vital than ever. For 2023, the panel’s priorities include finalizing the model surveillance framework, developing a One Health tool inventory, completing the compilation of case studies, and advancing a zoonotic risk analysis framework. Throughout the report, One Health is presented not just as a concept but as a transformative approach that will shape the future of human, animal, and ecosystem health.

NATIONAL ONE HEALTH FRAMEWORK TO ADDRESS ZOONOTIC DISEASES AND ADVANCE PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS IN THE UNITED STATES

“National One Health Framework to Address Zoonotic Diseases and Advance Public Health Preparedness in the United States (2025–2029)” is the first comprehensive national roadmap designed to prevent, detect, control, and respond to zoonotic diseases in the U.S. This framework is based on the One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnection between human, animal, plant, and environmental health. The COVID-19 pandemic and the growing threat of zoonotic diseases have made collaboration among various sectors and agencies indispensable. Consequently, in 2023, Congress directed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior (DOI), to develop a national One Health plan. As part of this process, the U.S. One Health Coordination Unit (U.S. OHCU) was established in 2024, bringing together representatives from more than 20 federal agencies.

The report elaborates on why the One Health approach is crucial. It emphasizes that the intricate links between human, animal, and environmental health cannot be ignored, and that complex challenges—such as zoonotic diseases, food safety, antimicrobial resistance, vector-borne diseases, ecosystem degradation, and biodiversity loss—can only be addressed through interdisciplinary collaboration. The framework aims to strengthen public health preparedness and reduce zoonotic threats by fostering robust partnerships across federal, state, local, and private sectors.

The document clearly defines the framework’s purpose, scope, and vision. Its vision is to protect people, animals, and the natural environment from zoonotic threats through a proactive, coordinated, and inclusive system. The mission is to enhance public health, food security, ecological sustainability, biodiversity, and community resilience by applying the One Health approach. Core guiding principles include sustainability, ecosystem integrity, stewardship, and multisectoral cooperation.

Planned for implementation from 2025 to 2029, the framework focuses on strengthening interagency coordination, improving early warning and surveillance systems, expanding laboratory capacity, ensuring rapid outbreak response, and building a skilled One Health workforce. The overarching aim of these initiatives is to reduce zoonotic risks at their source and maximize public health security. The report also highlights that One Health is not only essential for combating disease but also a key strategy for ensuring food safety, maintaining healthy ecosystems, and protecting biodiversity.

In conclusion, the National One Health Framework marks a new era in the fight against zoonotic diseases in the U.S. It is designed as a model that will contribute not only nationally but also to global One Health initiatives. The report notes that the lessons and experiences gained during its implementation will form the foundation for future strategies beyond 2029.

ONE HEALTH JOINT PLAN OF ACTION (2022-2026) WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE HEALTH OF HUMANS, ANIMALS, PLANTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

“One Health Joint Plan of Action (2022–2026)” is a comprehensive action plan developed by the Quadripartite partnership of FAO, UNEP, WHO, and WOAH to advance the One Health approach at global, regional, and national levels. The plan aims to address current and future health threats by considering human, animal, plant, and environmental health together, building more resilient systems.

In the introduction, the report emphasizes that complex challenges—such as zoonotic diseases, food safety risks, environmental degradation, and antimicrobial resistance—can only be managed through multisectoral and interdisciplinary collaboration. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the necessity of this approach and prompted the Quadripartite organizations to prepare this strategic document known as the One Health Joint Plan of Action (OH-JPA).

The plan is structured around six core action tracks: enhancing One Health capacities to strengthen health systems; reducing risks from emerging and re-emerging zoonotic outbreaks; controlling and eliminating endemic zoonotic, neglected tropical, and vector-borne diseases; strengthening the assessment, management, and communication of food safety risks; curbing the spread of antimicrobial resistance; and fully integrating environmental considerations into One Health strategies. These six pillars aim to create safer, more sustainable, and integrated global health and food systems.

The document explains that the One Health approach is built upon a Theory of Change, which includes clear goals for policy and legislative development, strengthening financing mechanisms, improving data sharing, translating scientific evidence into policy, and developing cross-sectoral capacities. Furthermore, the plan provides tools, training materials, and guidelines to assist countries in creating their own national One Health strategies adapted to their specific contexts.

The scope of the report extends beyond health systems, offering solutions to multi-dimensional global challenges such as biodiversity loss, climate change, sustainable agriculture, and water and food security. Plant health and ecosystem management are recognized as critical elements in preventing zoonotic risks. Additionally, global awareness, robust legal frameworks, and interdisciplinary cooperation are highlighted as essential to curb the spread of antimicrobial resistance.

In conclusion, OH-JPA provides a roadmap for the 2022–2026 period, presenting a vision of a sustainable future that acknowledges the interconnectedness of human, animal, plant, and environmental health. The report stresses that the One Health approach is not only crucial for preventing pandemics but also for ensuring healthy food systems, clean environments, safe water sources, and the preservation of biodiversity.

SAVING LIVES BY TAKING A ONE HEALTH APPROACH

ONE HEALTH HIGH-LEVEL EXPERT PANEL ANNUAL REPORT 2023

“ONE HEALTH HIGH-LEVEL EXPERT PANEL (OHHLEP) Annual Report 2023” presents the activities, outputs, and future plans of OHHLEP throughout 2023, under the collaboration of FAO, UNEP, WHO, and WOAH. As the panel approached the completion of its first term, the report provides a comprehensive overview of its contributions to global health security and the prevention of zoonotic diseases.

The report highlights the broader adoption of the One Health approach, first defined in 2021, and the strengthening of the Theory of Change framework to support the transition from concept to practice. It also focuses on the development of the One Health Joint Plan of Action (OH-JPA) implementation guide. OHHLEP has continued to provide evidence-based policies for the integrated management of human-animal-environment health and has supported countries in implementing One Health approaches at the national level.

The year 2023 was particularly productive in terms of outputs. The One Health definition and principles were widely disseminated through articles published in The Lancet series and translated into multiple languages for broader accessibility. The panel compiled 17 case studies highlighting successful applications of One Health, with five of these reviewed and prepared for publication in 2024. Furthermore, the One Health Tools and Resources Inventory, designed to support the OH-JPA implementation, was finalized. Out of more than 100 tools reviewed, 50 met the inclusion criteria and were presented as a valuable guide for countries and organizations.

In the field of surveillance, OHHLEP developed a model One Health surveillance framework, published in the Elsevier One Health Journal. This framework provides a roadmap for early detection, rapid data sharing, monitoring the drivers of zoonotic pathogens, and developing prevention strategies. The panel also issued a policy opinion on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1), emphasizing the need for integrated surveillance, improved data sharing, and stronger biosecurity measures at the global level.

The prevention of zoonotic spillover at its source was one of the key focuses of 2023. OHHLEP published the white paper “Prevention of Zoonotic Spillover at Source”, promoting a proactive strategy that reduces risks before outbreaks occur, rather than relying solely on reactive detection and response mechanisms. The paper also highlights the economic and social benefits of the One Health approach, as well as the importance of political commitment and adequate financing.

Throughout 2023, OHHLEP actively participated in over 100 high-level international events, including the UN General Assembly Science Summit, the G7 One Health High-Level Event, and the World Veterinary Congress. Through these contributions, the panel advanced the global visibility and understanding of One Health while providing interdisciplinary expertise and policy guidance.

In the conclusion, the report notes that OHHLEP’s achievements in 2023 and throughout its first term have built a solid foundation for the panel’s second phase. For 2024 and beyond, the priorities include supporting the national implementation of OH-JPA, reducing zoonotic risks, and expanding the One Health approach across both policy and practical levels. Overall, the report frames One Health not merely as a concept but as a transformative vision shaping the future of human, animal, and ecosystem health.

GUIDANCE ON SELECTION AND USE OF ONE HEALTH OPERATIONAL TOOLS

“Guidance on Selection and Use of One Health Operational Tools” is a report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2024, offering a comprehensive roadmap for selecting and implementing operational tools that facilitate the One Health (OH) approach. The report places the One Health concept at its core, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human, domestic and wild animals, plants, and ecosystems from a health perspective. It also highlights the tools developed by the Quadripartite—comprising FAO, WHO, WOAH, and, since 2022, UNEP—to strengthen OH capacities at both national and international levels.

The document compiles a wide range of tools that help countries evaluate and enhance their capacities in line with international standards. Among the key tools introduced are the Joint External Evaluation (JEE), the Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS), the IHR-PVS National Bridging Workshop (NBW), the National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS), and the Tripartite Zoonoses Guide (TZG). These tools assist countries in identifying strengths and weaknesses in areas such as surveillance, coordination, capacity building, and risk management, enabling them to create a shared roadmap.

The main goal of the report is to clearly explain “when, how, and for what purpose” these tools should be used by countries. The guidance categorizes OH tools into three main groups: Assessment/Monitoring, Prioritization/Planning, and Implementation/Operationalization. For instance, the OH Zoonotic Disease Prioritization (OHZDP) workshops help countries identify and prioritize their most critical zoonotic diseases, while the Joint Risk Assessment Operational Tool (JRA OT) provides a qualitative evaluation of risks at the human-animal-environment interface. Similarly, the Surveillance and Information Sharing Operational Tool (SIS OT) and the Multisectoral Coordination Mechanisms Operational Tool (MCM OT) are designed to enhance communication and coordination between sectors.

The report also introduces new tools and approaches aimed at strengthening OH implementation. Simulation exercises (SimEx) and Intra/After Action Reviews (IAR/AAR) enable countries to test and improve their emergency preparedness. The Workforce Development Operational Tool (WFD OT) and the Monitoring and Evaluation Operational Tool (M&E OT) aim to build long-term capacity and sustainability for One Health systems.

In conclusion, this report serves as a guide for countries to select the tools best suited to their contexts, enabling them to build more effective and resilient health security systems. The operational tools presented under the One Health approach are not only critical for the prevention and control of zoonotic diseases but also essential for global health security, food safety, and environmental sustainability.

ONE HEALTH THEORY OF CHANGE

“One Health Theory of Change (2022)” is a report developed by the OHHLEP (One Health High-Level Expert Panel), providing a strategic vision for the global implementation of the One Health approach. The panel, which advises the Quadripartite alliance consisting of FAO, UNEP, WHO, and WOAH, aims with this document to provide both its own initiatives and countries with a long-term roadmap.

In the introduction, the report emphasizes that human activities affecting the environment and ecosystems have a direct impact on the health of both humans and animals. In this context, OHHLEP has developed a common “Theory of Change” to prevent, predict, detect, and control health threats arising from the human-animal-environment interface. The document has been designed with objectives such as reducing the risk of zoonotic diseases that could cause pandemics, strengthening health systems, and contributing to sustainable development.

The “Theory of Change” outlines high-level actions along three main pathways of transformation: a pathway covering policy, advocacy, and financing; a pathway focused on institutional development and cross-sectoral integration; and a pathway based on data, evidence, and knowledge sharing. These pathways include goals such as policy development, securing investment, fostering intersectoral collaboration, generating scientific evidence, and encouraging innovation. OHHLEP also aims to enhance community engagement, develop inclusive governance models, and strengthen an equitable approach to health.

The report focuses on expected outcomes in the short, medium, and long term. Short-term goals for the 2021–2026 period include improving early warning and surveillance capacities across human, animal, and plant health systems, monitoring emerging pathogens, strengthening community engagement, and developing One Health financing mechanisms. Medium-term goals, set for 2030, include expanding evidence and knowledge generation, increasing response capacity to zoonotic threats, ensuring equitable access to diagnostics, vaccines, and technologies, and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Long-term goals, projected for 2035 and beyond, include building community resilience, establishing sustainable food systems, preserving biodiversity, and improving ecosystem health.

The document also discusses the barriers to achieving these goals and the conditions that enable success. Climate change, global inequities, political pressures, and insufficient funding are identified as the main challenges, while strong political will, sustainable financing, and cross-disciplinary collaboration are highlighted as key enabling factors.

In conclusion, “One Health Theory of Change” is not just a plan but a statement of an inclusive and sustainable vision that aims to optimize human, animal, plant, and environmental health. This approach serves as a strategic guide to strengthening global health security and preventing future pandemics.

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