A AMARENDER REDDY
The One Health approach provides the world, including India, a robust framework to address complex challenges, from zoonotic diseases and food safety to antimicrobial resistance and biodiversity conservation
As the world observes One Health Day on November 3, it’s a reminder that our health is deeply interconnected with the health of animals, crops, and the environment.
The One Health approach, which promotes collaboration between public health, veterinary, crop, and environmental sectors, is not only crucial for global health but is also highly relevant to India’s unique public health challenges. Recent pandemics, zoonotic and crop disease outbreaks, and environmental pressures underscore the urgency of such integrated health solutions.
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the profound impact zoonotic diseases can have on global and national scales. Worldwide, the economic cost of COVID-19 is estimated to exceed $16 trillion, considering both healthcare expenses and economic losses from prolonged shutdowns. In India, COVID-19 led to a significant economic setback, with GDP contraction of nearly 7.3 per cent in 2020–21 and losses estimated at around $265 billion.
Human costs were equally devastating, with the pandemic contributing to approximately 4.7 million excess deaths (both directly and indirectly) in India, as estimated by ‘The Economist’. This highlights the critical need for a holistic approach like One Health to prevent and mitigate future pandemics.
Preventing the Spread of Zoonotic Diseases
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately 75 per cent of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, meaning they originate in animals and can spread to humans (WHO, 2015).
India, with its vast animal and human populations cohabiting in close proximity, is especially vulnerable. Recent outbreaks, such as the Nipah virus in Kerala and sporadic cases of avian influenza, underscore the need for vigilance. India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, along with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, has initiated One Health collaborations to monitor zoonotic diseases.
The One Health approach promotes collaboration among public health, veterinary, and ecological professionals. Disease surveillance and intervention efforts across sectors are essential in India, where livestock, wildlife, and human communities often interact closely. For instance, programs tracking zoonotic pathogens in animal populations can identify and manage emerging risks before they escalate into human epidemics.
Improving Food Safety and Security
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates that foodborne illnesses affect one in ten people globally each year, with low- and middle-income countries, including India, disproportionately impacted. India’s growing demand for animal protein, coupled with its informal food sector, presents unique challenges.
Furthermore, the overuse of antibiotics in India’s livestock industry has raised concerns about food safety and antimicrobial resistance.
The One Health framework can help address these issues by promoting safer, sustainable farming practices and reducing antibiotic use in animal husbandry. India’s National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance advocates for cross-sectoral collaboration between the veterinary, agriculture, and health sectors to enhance food safety and reduce antibiotic use. Successful initiatives, like restricting antibiotic growth promoters in animal farming, have shown significant results in food safety and quality in India (Mekonnen et al., 2018).
Reducing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a rising threat worldwide, and India bears a high burden due to excessive antibiotic use in human healthcare and livestock. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) reports that AMR accounts for around 700,000 deaths globally each year, with South Asia significantly impacted. Left unchecked, AMR could push up to 28 million people into poverty by 2050, with a cumulative loss of $100 trillion in global GDP.
The One Health approach is crucial for tackling AMR by reducing unnecessary antibiotic use across sectors. India’s National Action Plan aligns with this approach by promoting best practices in health and agricultural settings. For instance, the “Antibiotic Smart Use” campaign in animal farming has proven effective in reducing AMR risks in Indian livestock populations.
Strengthening Health Security in India and Beyond
Global health threats have far-reaching impacts, and India’s role in global health security is essential. A World Bank report estimates that pandemics cost the global economy $570 billion annually. With a dense population and high human-animal interaction, India is vulnerable to zoonotic disease outbreaks and AMR, posing a potential threat to global health security.
The One Health approach can bolster India’s health security by enhancing disease surveillance and establishing rapid response systems. The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) of ICAR in India, for example, tracks outbreaks across humans and animals, promoting collaboration across sectors. Such systems are essential to detect outbreaks early, mitigate their impact, and prevent them from escalating into global pandemics.
Conserving Biodiversity and Ecosystems
India’s biodiversity is crucial not only for environmental health but also for public health. Rapid urbanisation, deforestation, and habitat loss disrupt ecosystems, increasing zoonotic disease risk. Research shows that deforestation rates in India are correlated with increased human-wildlife contact, raising the potential for zoonotic spillovers.
One Health emphasises that biodiversity conservation is fundamental to reducing health risks. India’s National Biodiversity Action Plan supports conservation, recognising that healthy ecosystems are vital to human well-being. For instance, protected forests in the Western Ghats help reduce vector-borne diseases by preserving natural mosquito predators, demonstrating how conservation benefits public health.
Moving Forward with One Health in India
The One Health approach offers India a robust framework to address complex challenges, from zoonotic diseases and food safety to AMR and biodiversity conservation. According to the World Bank, investing $3.4 billion per year in One Health initiatives globally, especially in high-risk countries, could avert up to $30 billion in zoonotic disease-related damages and save countless lives.
As we observe One Health Day, it’s time to acknowledge that human health is inseparable from the health of animals and the environment. Embracing One Health principles can prevent the next pandemic, safeguard biodiversity, and protect future generations.
Amarender Reddy is Joint Director, ICAR-National Institute of Biotic Stress Management (ICAR-NIBSM), Raipur.
The article was first published in First Post as One Health Day: How human health is inseparable from environment on November 03, 2024.
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organization.
Read more at IMPRI:
A Fresh Chapter for India and Germany
Acknowledgment: This article was posted by Shivashish Narayan, a research intern at IMPRI.
