One Health is an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, plants, animals and ecosystems.

FAO promotes a One Health approach as part of agrifood system transformation for the health of people, animals, plants and the environment. This involves a spectrum of actors and work on sustainable agriculture, animal, plant, forest, and aquaculture health, food safety, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), food security, nutrition and livelihoods.

Ensuring a One Health approach is essential for progress to anticipate, prevent, detect and control diseases that spread between animals and humans, tackle AMR, ensure food safety, prevent environment-related human and animal health threats, as well as combatting many other challenges.

One Health is an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems. It recognizes the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the wider environment (including ecosystems) are closely linked and inter-dependent.

The approach mobilizes 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 clean water, energy and air, safe and nutritious food, taking action on climate change, and contributing to sustainable development. OHHLEP One Health definition

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Highlights
Event
One Health Day
03/11/2026

One Health Day on 3 November marks the need for a One Health approach recognising the health of people, animals, and ecosystems are interconnected. 

One Health at COP31: Building resilience across climate, food and health systems
30/10/2026

As world leaders prepare to gather in Antalya, Türkiye, for COP31, the connections between climate change, food security and health are increasingly...

Upcoming events
17/12/2026 - 18/12/2026

This consultation will build on the One Health Session on MERS-CoV camel vaccination that was convened by the tripartite organizations in November 2025 as part of a MERS-CoV vaccine use case workshop held by CEPI. 

11/11/2026

This webinar will present progress and emerging findings, highlighting how tools and evidence can support more integrated One Health policies, surveillance systems and prevention strategies.

Early detection and rapid response: Cambodia strengthens animal disease surveillance
30/10/2026

Early detection is essential to preventing animal diseases from spreading and potentially threatening human health. In Cambodia, where people, livestock,...

Making One Health plans work: Why costing matters for national action
28/10/2026

Costing prioritized activities and investment planning help make national One Health action plans more realistic, achievable and financially sustainable. 

Highlights
FAO and the Pandemic Fund
27/10/2026

FAO is co-implementing 49 projects with support from the Pandemic Fund for pandemic preparedness addressing zoonotic diseases and other emerging...