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. A One Health approach is also critical for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Key fact 1
60 percent of all human infectious diseases are zoonotic in origin and some 75 percent jump species
Key fact 1 bis
High impact diseases affect the availability and quality of animal source foods
Key fact 2
A One Health approach can reduce potential threats at the human-animal-environment interface, while protecting biodiversity.
Key fact 3
United Nations Members support a One Health approach – many have established multisectoral working groups on antimicrobial resistance.
Key fact 4
Supporting good agricultural practices is essential to prevent, mitigate and manage plant diseases, ensuring that harvests can feed all people.
Key fact 5
Good practices from farm to plate represent a One Health approach to food safety.
Key fact 6
USD 8 trillion to USD 16 trillion is the estimated cost of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key fact 7
In a high-impact scenario, AMR will shave 3.8 percent off global annual GDP by 2050.
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