One Health
One Health is an integrative effort from multiple disciplines to
obtain optimal health for people, animals and the environment.
All One Health initiatives follow the principle that all life is connected.
(opens in a new window)We speak to Dr Kieran Meade, whose research is guided by One Health principles. Read the full interview by clicking on the magazine cover.
One Health is an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems. It recognises that the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants and the wider environment (including ecosystems) are closely linked and interdependent.
The approach mobilises multiple sectors, disciplines and communities at varying levels of society to work together to foster well-being and tackle threats to health and ecosystems, while addressing the collective need for healthy food, water, energy and air, taking action on climate change and contributing to sustainable development.
The philosophy of One Health is fundamental to how UCD operates - it promotes the core idea that problems can best be solved by using multi-disciplinary teams that are solution-focused and use their diversity of thought as a strength. We aim to solve problems and drive innovations that benefit not only human health but also animal health and the environment.