Working Together for One Health

"One Health is the idea that the health of people is connected to the health of animals and our shared environment. Learn why One Health is important and how, by working together, we can achieve the best health for everyone.

We’re All Connected

Did you know that animals and humans often can be affected by many of the same diseases and environmental issues? Some diseases, called zoonotic diseases, can be spread between animals and people. More than half of all infections people can get can be spread by animals – a few examples include rabies, Salmonella, and West Nile virus. Environmental issues like harmful algal blooms or lead contamination also can affect the health of both people and animals. Antimicrobial resistance is another emerging threat to the health of people and animals, and resistant germs often spread through our shared environment.

As Earth’s population grows, our connection with animals and the environment changes: people live closer together, travel more often around the globe, alter the environment, and have different relationships with animals for companionship, education, food, and more. All of these changes can make it easier for diseases to spread between animals and people. Because of these interactions, animals also can sometimes serve as early warning signals of potential human outbreaks. Tracking diseases in animals helps to keep domestic and wild animals healthy, and also can help prevent illnesses and disease outbreaks in people..."
Animal health and community

FDA’s Role in Animal Health:Yes! No! Maybe So! – What FDA Does and Does Not Regulate
"Each week, FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) receives a variety of phone calls and e-mails from consumers asking questions like, “Who regulates flea and tick products?” and “How do I treat my cat’s urinary tract infection?” While CVM’s Communications Staff is happy to direct consumers to the appropriate resources, it may be helpful to know that FDA is not the only organization responsible for protecting animal health. FDA regulates the drugs, devices, and feed given to or used on over one hundred million companion and food-producing animals in the U.S. Several other government and non-government organizations also play a role in animal health..."

Healthy Animals, October 2009
"Welcome to Healthy Animals, an online compilation of animal health-related research news put out each quarter by the Information Staff of the Agricultural Research Service. ARS is the chief scientific agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Each issue profiles one aspect of ARS research. Links take readers to detailed stories on new findings important to the health of livestock, poultry and fish. And a list of all ARS research laboratories that work to improve animal health is just a click away."