A One Health Approach to Global Sustainable Development

Today we are facing increasingly complex, wicked environmental problems: climate change, drought, wildfires, biodiversity loss, pollution, invasive species, increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters, emerging infectious diseases, habitat degradation, and overexploitation of species. How can we implement sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the face of these stressors? The international Quadripartite (which is comprised of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organization, and World Organisation for Animal Health) recommends a One Health approach. The Quadripartite's One Health High-Level Expert Panel defines One Health as "an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems. It recognizes the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the wider environment (including ecosystems) are closely linked and interdependent. The [One Health] approach mobilizes multiple sectors, disciplines, and communities at varying levels of society to work together to foster well-being and tackle threats to health and ecosystems, while addressing the collective need for healthy food, water, energy, and air, taking action on climate change and contributing to sustainable development." This course provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to become a One Health practitioner.