About One Health
Understanding the interconnected health of humans, animals, and our environment.
A Revolutionary Approach to Global Health
One Health is a collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach — working at the local, regional, national, and global levels — with the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment.
The One Health approach is particularly relevant for disease prevention, including the prevention and control of zoonoses (diseases that can spread between animals and humans) and antimicrobial resistance (when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites no longer respond to medicines).
This approach has gained significant importance following the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the critical need for integrated health strategies that consider all aspects of our interconnected world.
Key Principles
- Collaborative, multisectoral approach
- Transdisciplinary research and solutions
- Focus on disease prevention and control
- Environmental sustainability integration
- Global to local implementation
- Evidence-based policy development
The Interconnected Triad
One Health recognizes that the health of people, animals, and ecosystems are interconnected.
Human Health
Encompasses public health, medicine, and healthcare systems. It focuses on preventing, detecting, and responding to diseases that affect human populations, including those originating from animals or the environment.
Animal Health
Includes veterinary medicine, animal husbandry, and wildlife management. Understanding animal diseases is crucial as approximately 75% of emerging infectious diseases in humans have animal origins.
Environmental Health
Covers the physical, chemical, and biological factors external to humans. Climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution all impact both human and animal health significantly.
Why One Health Matters
The urgency of adopting an integrated approach to health challenges.
Zoonotic Diseases
of emerging diseases are zoonotic
AMR Crisis
deaths by 2050 if no action
Climate Impact
additional deaths/year by 2030
Food Security
people lack safe food access
One Health International @ AWKUM
The One Health International initiative at Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan (AWKUM) is a pioneering effort to promote the One Health concept in Pakistan and the broader South Asian region. Established in 2019, our initiative brings together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from diverse disciplines to address complex health challenges.
Our annual International One Health Conference serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and collaborative research. The conference attracts participants from across the globe, fostering partnerships that span continents and disciplines.
Our Goals:
- Promote interdisciplinary research and education in One Health
- Build capacity for One Health implementation in the region
- Facilitate knowledge sharing among scientists, practitioners, and policymakers
- Develop evidence-based policies for integrated health approaches
- Create a network of One Health professionals across South Asia