One Health Approach: Veterinary Perspectives in Global and Indian Context

Abstract

Conjoint relation should exist between human–animal–ecosystem interfaces for the sustainable development. Any breach in the equilibrium results in an asymmetry in the sustainability eventually results in the emergence of global issues. Approach from only human medicine cannot alleviate the threats; veterinary medicine, environment conservation should also contribute equally to palliate the inevitable scourges. The concept gained high impetus in the past half decade time even though the theme established its roots from time immemorial as an integrated medicine concept and termed to be ‘One medicine’. The idea of ‘One health’ replaced ‘One medicine’ with the help of coactive translational inputs from various streams of knowledge recognizing the significance of health to medicine. The tri– junctional human–animal–environment interaction forms the essence of ‘One health’ concept which underlines the collaboration across all species. The ‘One health’ concept has its own benefits to address the current problems like emerging infectious diseases, food safety and security, pollution, antimicrobial resistance, bioterrorism, global climate change pattern and so on. The present article deals with the history of consolidated thinking of ‘One health’; the global emergence and impact of ‘One health’ and need for encompassing the idea in current scenario with special mention to Indian perspective