SW - Microbiomes and One Health

Question 1

How does the World Health Organisation define One Health?

Answer 1

• An integrated, unifying approach aiming to balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems.

Question 2

What are key features of the Biomedical Approach ? (4)

Answer 2

• Focuses on individual diseases and their treatment.
• Views health as the absence of disease.
• Uses siloed technologies for specific issues.
• Often neglects psychosocial factors and lacks an interdisciplinary approach.

Question 3

What are characteristics of the One Health Approach? (3)

Answer 3

• Focuses on microbiome science.
• Recognizes the interconnection between human, animal, and planetary health.
• Emphasizes inter- and transdisciplinary approaches.

Question 4

Why is One Health different from traditional approaches? (3)

Answer 4

• Moves beyond individual health to consider entire ecosystems.
• Recognizes environmental factors’ roles in human and animal health.
• Promotes prevention, early intervention, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Question 5

What disciplines are essential in a One Health approach to public health? (3)

Answer 5

• Biological sciences: ecologists, immunologists, microbiologists, and veterinary experts.
• Public health experts: epidemiologists, behavioral scientists, and psychologists.
• Broader fields: engineers, social scientists, economists, and anthropologists.

Question 6

What is the Quadripartite call to action for One Health? (3)

Answer 6

• A global initiative involving WHO, WOAH, UNEP, and FAO.
• Aims to achieve what no single sector can achieve alone.
• Encourages countries and stakeholders to prioritize One Health in policies.

Question 7

What are the priority actions outlined by the Quadripartite for implementing One Health? (7)

Answer 7

• Prioritize One Health in international agendas.
• Strengthen national policies and strategies.
• Accelerate implementation of plans.
• Build intersectoral One Health workforces.
• Prevent pandemics and health threats at the source.
• Strengthen knowledge exchange and evidence-based practices.
• Increase investment in strategies and plans.

Question 8

(learn table on slides)

What are the foundational principles of One Health? (6)

Answer 8

• Interconnectedness: Links human, animal, and environmental health.
• Balance and Resilience: Maintains microbiome diversity for health sustainability.
• Harmony in Health: Focuses on microbial symbiosis and host-microbiome interactions.
• Adaptive Responses: Highlights the microbiome’s plasticity to environmental changes.
• Sustainable Practices: Promotes holistic solutions for health equity and conservation.
• Knowledge Integration: Encourages evidence-based interventions and policies.

Question 9

(learn table on slides)

What are the challenges and strategies for implementing One Health? (5)

Answer 9

Challenge: Technological Barriers
* Issues: Integration of data, computational complexity, and accessibility.
Strategies:
* Invest in bioinformatics.
* Develop data standards.
* Use AI and machine learning.

Challenge: Policy Complexities
* Issues: Regulatory frameworks, cross-sector coordination, and global governance.
Strategies:
* Multisectoral coordination.
* Regulatory harmonization.
* Global health diplomacy.

Challenge: Societal Attitudes and Behaviors
* Issues: Public awareness, cultural beliefs, and behavior change.
Strategies:
* Health literacy programs.
* Behavioral interventions.
* Citizen science initiatives.

Challenge: Research and Knowledge Gaps
* Issues: Scientific complexity, data gaps, and translational research limitations.
Strategies:
* Conduct longitudinal studies.
* Promote interdisciplinary research.
* Address translational gaps.

Challenge: Resource Constraints
* Issues: Funding, infrastructure needs, and capacity limitations.
Strategies:
* Develop training programs.
* Invest in infrastructure.
* Foster public-private partnerships.