One Health, the health benefits of biodiversity and sustainable development

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The One Health approach is a holistic view and transdisciplinary health model that recognises the interdependence of human, animal and environmental health, emphasising the importance of considering them together in addressing global health challenges. Although this concept has ancient roots, it was formally defined in 2004 and is now supported by global bodies such as the WHO and the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, which emphasise the urgency of integrating knowledge to address health and environmental crises on a global scale. In a context of increasing environmental disasters, pandemic risks, food insecurity and ecosystem degradation, such an approach is more necessary than ever. For example, the spread of zoonoses - such as in the case of COVID-19 - or diseases transmitted from animals to humans through spillover phenomena has demonstrated the importance of bringing together diver

The One Health approach is based on a few key principles that emphasise the interconnection between human, animal and environmental health. One of the fundamentals is interdisciplinary collaboration, involving doctors, veterinarians, ecologists and public health specialists to address health problems in an integrated manner. This synergy makes it possible to develop disease prevention strategies, identifying common factors that influence the well-being of people, animals and ecosystems. Furthermore, the approach promotes the sustainable use of natural resources, recognising that the health of ecosystems - such as forests and oceans - has a direct impact on quality of life. Phenomena such as pollution and deforestation can in fact compromise food security, while the excessive use of antibiotics in farm animals contributes to the spread of antimicrobial resistance, with direct consequences on human health.

The climate changes pose a serious threat to global health. Rising temperatures and precipitation promote the spread of vector-borne diseases, such as malaria and dengue fever, with over 700,000 deaths annually. Some 2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, and 770 million go hungry. The increasingly frequent environmental catastrophes worsen food insecurity, malnutrition and diseases transmitted by contaminated water and food. Finally, heat waves are particularly deadly: among the over-65s, deaths have increased by 70 per cent in 20 years. Without timely action, an increase of 250,000 deaths per year is expected by 2030 due to climate change. Acting One Health here means reducing emissions, protecting ecosystems and ensuring equitable access to health services. Health, in this perspective, is no longer just an individual issue.

According to the article Honeybees and the One Health Approach, published in 2024, one of the main aspects that the One Health approach has to consider is the protection of pollinating insects. Bees (Apis mellifera), along with other wild pollinators such as bumblebees and coleoptera, are crucial for the reproduction of about 87.5% of flowering plants and global agricultural production. However, these insects are vulnerable to multiple factors, including indiscriminate use of pesticides, loss of habitat and floral diversity due to intensive agriculture, and climate change. The One Health approach must recognise the interconnection between pollinator health, the environment and humans, highlighting the urgency of sustainable agricultural policies and habitat conservation practices. Protecting pollinators not only protects biodiversity, but contributes directly to global food security and human health.

The protection of pollinators fits into one of the main pillars of the One Health approach: animal welfare. The protection of animal welfare is indeed essential to safeguard the balance of global health, as poor animal conditions can have direct consequences on human health. However, anthropogenic environments such as intensive livestock farms often fail to meet the animal protection and welfare standards set by regulations, thus becoming potential reservoirs of pathogens and favouring the risk of spillover from animals to humans. Moreover, the overuse of antibiotics in these contexts also increases our antimicrobial resistance, a serious threat to public health. Ensuring animal protection and welfare, both for pollinators and farm animals, is essential to reduce health risks and is an ethical imperative, especially in light of recent findings on animal consciousness.

The One Health approach shows that human, animal and environmental health are deeply interconnected, and that only by addressing global challenges in an integrated manner can we hope to improve the overall well-being of the planet. Protecting pollinators, ensuring animal welfare and combating climate change are not only ecological, but also health and ethical issues. Therefore, it is essential to reconsider government policies to pursue more ambitious goals for the protection of our planet and, consequently, our health. 3Bee has been developing strategies to protect the environment and regenerate biodiversity for years through, for example, safeguarding pollinators by creating new ecological corridors. Want to know more?