Many global challenges and health risks are related to the contact between humans, animals and the environment in a globalised world. Examples are zoonoses, antimicrobial resistance, modern diseases caused by the current lifestyle such as obesity and cancer, natural or manmade disasters, food and feed safety crisis, etc. Global trade and increasing mobility of humans, animals and goods facilitate these interactions, especially with regards to infectious diseases.
The One Health approach recognises that the health of humans and animals as well as their ecosystems are interconnected. It addresses health risks at the human-animal-ecosystem interfaces and requires applying a multidisciplinary and cross-sectorial approach to address potential or existing risks.
