The Interactive Journal of Medical Research viewpoint Strengthening the One Health Approach in the Eastern Mediterranean Region examines how the One Health approach can be strengthened and operationalized across the region. Published on 21 March 2023, it summarizes an EMPHNET roundtable held in November 2021 and focuses on zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, food safety, multisectoral coordination, governance, workforce capacity and regional data sharing.
Key Insights
One Health links human, animal and environmental health and requires collaboration across public health, veterinary, environmental and other sectors.
Nearly 75% of new or emerging infectious diseases affecting humans are zoonotic, while 71.8% have origins linked to wildlife.
Antimicrobial resistance is highlighted as a major One Health threat, driven by antimicrobial misuse in both human medicine and agriculture.
Page 3 stresses that institutionalization is critical, including political commitment, legal frameworks, clear governance and coordination mechanisms.
Data sharing between human, animal and environmental sectors is essential for faster detection and coordinated response to health threats.
EMPHNET’s operational guide identifies five priorities: governance, multisectoral coordination, workforce development, regional data-sharing platforms, and risk communication and community engagement.
The article recommends creating multidisciplinary One Health teams and strengthening collaboration from local to regional and global levels.
EMPHNET also proposed establishing a regional One Health committee to support coordination, technical guidance and country-level implementation.
No major numerical or chronological inconsistency is apparent in the article.
