Reconnecting for our future: The Lancet One Health Commission

• Published in: The Lancet (British edition) 2020-05, Vol.395 (10235), p.1469-1471
• Main Authors: Amuasi, John H, Lucas, Tamara, Horton, Richard, Winkler, Andrea S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal human relations; Animals; Antimicrobial resistance; Betacoronavirus - immunology; Climate Change; Collaboration; Communicable Diseases - epidemiology; Coronavirus Infections - epidemiology; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Environmental health; Food; Global health; Global Health - trends; Health Policy - legislation & jurisprudence; Humans; Infectious diseases; Integrated approach; Ivermectin; Legislation; Medical research; One Health - legislation & jurisprudence; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral - epidemiology; Poverty; Program Evaluation; Research methodology; SARS-CoV-2; Sustainable development; Viral diseases
• ISSN: 0140-6736; 1474-547X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31027-8

[...]they also make humans increasingly vulnerable to contemporary global health challenges, such as emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases,2 as shown by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, antimicrobial resistance (AMR),3 and the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases.4 These challenges are further impacted by climate change, poverty, conflict, and migration.5 The apparent dominance of the human species comes with a huge responsibility. [...]in our quest to ensure the health and continued existence of humanity, consideration must be given to the complex interconnectedness and interdependence of all living species and the environment—the concept of One Health.6–8 One Health highlights the synergistic benefit of closer cooperation between the human, animal, and environmental health sciences, as well as the importance of dismantling disciplinary and professional silos. The One Health concept has been recognised and promoted by the UN, the G20, and WHO, among several others.9 The Sustainable Development Goals in themselves can be understood as embodying a One Health strategy aimed at healthy people living on a perpetually habitable planet.10 The Lancet One Health Commission comprises 24 Commissioners (appendix) and several researchers from multiple disciplines from around the globe. [...]more than ever with the COVID-19 pandemic, concerted knowledge and evidence generation must inform and catalyse responsive leadership, context-driven governance, progressive policy, and legislation that are sensitive to gender, community, equity, and ethics (figure).