One Health 101 – Understanding the Connection Between Humans, Animals, and the Environment in the Fight Against AMR

Introduction

Dr. Jane Parmley joins NCCID for our opening episode of the Getting to Know OH mini-series to help introduce the fundamentals of the One Health concept and its relevance for public health decision-making. Dr. Parmely shares her views on the timeliness and value of a One Health approach to current challenges addressing the complex problem of AMR, as well as inspiring examples of where it is being applied.

Getting to Know OH: The podcast series where public health’s questions meet One Health answers for the fight against AMR

Resources:

The World Health Organization‘s newsroom page addresses common questions about the One Health approach and its relevance for responses to a variety of global health threats.  Several WHO-led initiatives to advance the One Health approach are outlined.  

The Pan-Canadian Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (2023) is a national One Health strategy, developed in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments, released by the Government of Canada to strengthen Canada’s collective response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This 5-year blueprint (2023–2027) outlines priorities for coordinated action across human, animal, and environmental health sectors under several pillars (e.g. surveillance, stewardship, infection prevention, research, leadership). (Available in both official languages.)

The Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (GAP-AMR) is a strategic framework developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), to combat the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2015, the plan outlines five key objectives aimed at addressing AMR through a One Health approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, plant, and environmental health.

United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance: In September 2024, during the 79th United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on AMR, global leaders approved a political declaration committing to a set of targets and actions to combat AMR. These include reducing the estimated 4.95 million human deaths associated with bacterial AMR annually by 10% by 2030 and ensuring that at least 60% of countries have funded national action plans on AMR by 2030. The declaration reaffirmed the importance of a One Health approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, plant, and environmental health.