History

The concept of One Health originated in the 1860s with the idea of zoonoses by the German pathologist Virchow. It was further clarified in 2004 with the Manhattan Principles (Wildlife Conservation Society), which advocated the need for a cross-sectoral approach involving collaboration from various sectors to control zoonotic diseases and maintain ecosystem integrity. Since then, the concept of One Health has evolved, emphasizing the collaboration between medical and veterinary fields to improve the health of both humans and animals, as seen from the perspective of Zoobiquity.

 

  

Philosophy・Definition

The concept of One Health recognizes that the health of humans, livestock, wildlife, plants, and the broader environment (including ecosystems) are closely interconnected and interdependent. It is defined as an integrated and unified approach aimed at sustaining and optimizing the balance of health for humans, animals, and ecosystems. （The One Health High Level Expert Panel, an advisory panel to the One Health Quadripartite (FAO, WHO, WOAH, and UNEP, PLoS Pathogens, One Health High-Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP), 18（6）、e1010537,2022)。

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States defines One Health as a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of humans, animals, plants, and the shared environment. It aims to achieve optimal health at the regional, national, and global levels. Therefore, to protect health and well-being, a One Health approach requires collaboration across various disciplines such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, health sciences, veterinary medicine, environmental sciences, and social sciences, as well as across different administrative units, industries, and educational and research institutions. Through the One Health approach, which views the health of humans, animals, and the environment as interconnected, the goal is to ensure a healthy living environment for future generations.

 

The Social Penetration

 

The G7 Hiroshima Summit was held from May 19 to 21, 2023. As a related meeting, the G7 Health Ministers' Meeting (a G7 ministerial meeting on international health issues) was held in Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture from May 13 to 14, 2023.

The G7 Nagasaki Health Ministers' Declaration also emphasizes the importance of One Health, particularly highlighting the importance of the One Health approach in preventing, preparing for, and responding to future pandemics, as well as addressing issues such as antimicrobial resistance, climate change, loss of biodiversity, and environmental pollution. 

G7 HIROSHIMA 2023 *external link