Una Sola Salud. Un Enfoque Multisectorial y Transdisciplinario / One Health. A Multisectoral and Transdisciplinary Health Approach

Una sola salud (USS), es un enfoque integral y unificador diseñado para equilibrar y optimizar la salud tanto de seres humanos, animales y ecosistemas, aprovechando la interrelación entre estos ámbitos para establecer nuevas metodologías de vigilancia y control de enfermedades. Es así como, la forma en que se utiliza el suelo puede influir en el número de casos de malaria; las condiciones meteorológicas y controles artificiales del agua pueden afectar enfermedades como el dengue; el comercio de animales salvajes vivos puede aumentar la probabilidad de que ciertas enfermedades infecciosas se transmitan de animales a humanos (zoonosis), entre otros ejemplos. Es decir, un esfuerzo integrador de múltiples disciplinas que trabajan de manera colaborativa a nivel local, nacional y global en todos los aspectos del cuidado de la salud de los seres humanos, los animales y el medio ambiente. El objetivo de este manuscrito fue reportar y discutir el concepto USS, como nuevo enfoque sanitario inter y transdisciplinario. Debemos adoptar la filosofía de USS desde el nivel global hasta el más local para reducir entre otras, los riesgos de pandemias que pueden ocurrir con mayor frecuencia considerando el crecimiento exponencial de la población mundial y la urbanización.

SUMMARY: One Health (OH) represents a comprehensive and unifying approach designed to balance and optimize the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems. By leveraging the interdependent links among these domains, OH establishes new methodologies for disease surveillance and control. The manner in which land is utilized can influence the incidence of malaria; meteorological conditions and artificial water controls can impact diseases such as dengue, and the trade of live wildlife can escalate the likelihood of certain infectious diseases being transmitted from animals to humans (zoonoses), among other interconnected factors. That is, an integrative effort of multiple disciplines working collaboratively and locally, nationally, and globally in all aspects of health care for humans, animals, and the environment. The aim of this manuscript was to elucidate and discuss the OH concept as an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary paradigm in healthcare. In conclusion,it is imperative to embrace the OH philosophy from a global to local scale in order to mitigate, among other concerns, the heightened risks of pandemics. This consideration is especially pertinent given the exponential growth of the global population and urbanization trends, which may contribute to an increased frequency of pandemic occurrences.

Antimicrobial resistance in the environment: The Indian scenario

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to pose a significant public health problem in terms of mortality and economic loss. Health authorities of several countries including India have formulated action plans for its containment. In this fight against AMR, it is important to realize the contribution by all the following four spheres: humans, animals, food and environment. This review incorporates all the spheres of One Health concept from the Indian perspective. India has one of the highest rates of resistance to antimicrobial agents used both in humans and food animals. The environment, especially the water bodies, have also reported the presence of resistant organisms or their genes. Specific socio-economic and cultural factors prevalent in India make the containment of resistance more challenging. Injudicious use of antimicrobials and inadequate treatment of waste waters are important drivers of AMR in India. Use of sludge in agriculture, improper discard of livestock animals and aquaculture industry are considered AMR contributors in other countries but Indian data regarding these are lacking. Efforts to combat AMR have been initiated by the Indian health authorities but are still at preliminary stages. Keeping in view the challenges unique to India, future directions are proposed.