What is One Health?

Written by: Ameena Momand

Did you know that more than 60% of infectious diseases in humans come from animals? The health of humans is deeply connected to the health of animals and the environment. This is where the One Health approach comes in. The recent COVID-19 pandemic, the spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, and the growing impacts of climate change have highlighted the consequences of ignoring these connections. These challenges remind us that health is not just an individual matter; it is a shared responsibility across species and ecosystems. This is the philosophy behind One Health: a holistic approach that considers human, animal, and environmental health as fundamentally interconnected.

Understanding One Health

One Health is an approach that recognizes the inseparability of human, animal, and environmental health. Diseases do not respect borders between species or ecosystems. As previously mentioned, 60% of infectious diseases in humans originate from animals, and environmental changes from deforestation to urbanization, can shift disease patterns, affecting both humans and animals. Zoonotic diseases such as rabies, Ebola, and COVID-19 are reminders of this interconnectedness. But One Health is not only about disease. It encompasses broader public health challenges like food security, environmental sustainability, and health

disparities. When environmental contamination, habitat loss, or climate change disrupts ecosystems, humans and animals alike experience health consequences. Understanding these interactions requires an interdisciplinary perspective that combines biology, medicine, ecology, public health, and social sciences.

Why Does One Health Matter?

Why does this matter to us, especially here at UAB? One Health reminds us that our actions, whether in healthcare, research, or daily life, have ripple effects beyond ourselves. Consider antimicrobial resistance: overuse of antibiotics in both humans and animals accelerates the emergence of resistant bacteria, making once-treatable infections potentially deadly. Similarly, climate change alters the habitats of animals and vectors like mosquitoes, changing the spread of diseases such as Zika Virus or Malaria. UAB’s programs reflect this understanding.

For example, the Live HealthSmart Alabama initiative addresses health disparities in Alabama through community education, wellness screenings, and access to nutritious foods. While it focuses on human health, the program also considers environmental factors that influence well-being, such as urban food deserts and access to green spaces. By addressing health holistically, Live HealthSmart exemplifies the One Health approach in action.

The Alabama Genomic Health Initiative (AGHI) is another example. By integrating genomic research into public health, AGHI identifies individuals at risk for inherited diseases. This work demonstrates how human health is influenced by biological and environmental factors, while research findings can inform broader population health strategies.

One Health in Action at UAB

Students and researchers at UAB are actively engaging with One Health concepts through multiple channels. For example, our very own Global Health Interest Group (GHIG) here at UAB encourages students to explore global health issues, develop leadership skills, and participate in advocacy and service opportunities. By promoting awareness of health inequities and supporting initiatives that integrate human, animal, and environmental health, GHIG empowers students to think critically about how their actions influence global systems. Moreover, UAB’s research centers foster interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together medical researchers, environmental scientists, veterinarians, and public health experts to study complex problems. Whether it’s studying disease transmission between animals and humans or addressing environmental determinants of health, these efforts show that solutions require collaboration across traditional disciplinary boundaries.

A Call to Reflection

One Health challenges us to rethink how we define “health.” It is no longer sufficient to consider human health in isolation. The wellbeing of animals and the environment is inseparable from our own. For students, professionals, and community members alike, this perspective encourages critical thinking and proactive engagement. It asks questions like: How does urban development affect local ecosystems and human health? How can public health interventions consider both human and animal populations? How can we use research to anticipate and prevent health crises before they occur? At UAB, embracing One Health means engaging in interdisciplinary learning, participating in community programs, and contributing to research that spans the human-animal-environment interface. By doing so, we equip ourselves not only to respond to health challenges but also to anticipate and prevent them.

To conclude, one Health is more than a concept. It is a framework for understanding the world and our place within it. It calls on us to recognize connections, consider consequences, and take collaborative action. At UAB, the integration of research, education, and community initiatives demonstrates the power of One Health in practice. By exploring and embracing this approach, students and professionals alike can contribute to a healthier, more equitable world for humans, animals, and the environment.

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2023). One Health Basics. https://www.cdc.gov/onehealth/basics/index.html

2. World Health Organization (WHO). (2022). One Health. https://www.who.int/health-topics/one-health

3. UAB Global Health Interest Group. (2025). About GHIG. https://www.uab.edu/sparkmancenter/students/education-experiential-programs/ghig

4. UAB Live HealthSmart Alabama. (2025). https://www.uab.edu/livehealthsmartal/

5. UAB Alabama Genomic Health Initiative. (2025). https://www.uabmedicine.org/specialties/aghi/