“One Health” Is The New Global Policy Framework
The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 brought to light the vulnerabilities of global systems, from supply chains to governance. It also prompted a shift in perspective for the One Health Commission, co-chaired by Andrea Winkler and John Amuasi and sponsored by The Lancet. This Commission, consisting of 35 experts from various disciplines and regions, expanded its focus beyond zoonotic diseases to encompass climate, biodiversity, antimicrobial resistance, and food systems.
The Lancet’s One Health Commission released a landmark report that redefines One Health as a global framework for managing systemic risks, aligning closely with the concept of planetary health. This shift has significant implications for policymakers and business leaders, as One Health principles are increasingly being integrated into international agreements and financing rules.
The report emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, highlighting the urgent need to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. It also calls for a reevaluation of the prevailing economic system, advocating for frameworks that prioritize equitable and sustainable socioecological systems.
One Health is no longer just an academic concept but a policy doctrine institutionalized through the One Health Quadripartite and endorsed in the Pandemic Agreement. Governments and businesses are urged to adopt One Health principles to strengthen surveillance, prevention, and governance systems in the face of future crises.
Ignoring One Health poses significant risks for businesses, including disruptions in supply chains, ESG pressures, and reputational liabilities. However, embracing One Health can lead to new opportunities for efficiency gains, public-private partnerships, and the development of innovative technologies aligned with One Health principles.
The Commission’s report offers ten recommendations for action, outlining specific steps for stakeholders to take at the local, national, and global levels. It is a call to action for governments and businesses to proactively adapt to the changing landscape of global governance and prioritize resilience and growth through the lens of One Health.
In conclusion, the Lancet’s One Health Commission underscores the importance of viewing health as a property of socio-ecological systems. As the world faces ongoing challenges and uncertainties, embracing One Health is not just a strategic choice but a necessity for building resilient and sustainable systems for the future.
