Understanding One Health

Tolkien Bridge surrounded by trees, Sage Milne

By: Sarah Spacek, high-school student

When we think of the word health, most of us picture doctors, medicine, or personal wellness. But health is much broader than what happens in a clinic—it extends to the animals we live alongside and the environment that sustains us. Human health depends on safe food, clean water, and protection from disease. Animal health shapes our food supply, companionship, and livelihoods. Environmental health supports clean air, stable climates, and functioning ecosystems. 

This interconnected perspective is known as One Health: a collaborative approach that recognizes the well-being of people, animals, and the planet as inseparable. The concept of One Health is recognized globally by organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

When one part of this system suffers, the rest are affected. One Health helps prevent emerging diseases, protect food systems, preserve the environment, reduce antimicrobial resistance, and build resilient communities.  

Take, for example, a polluted lake. Contamination harms aquatic life and livestock, which impacts food safety and nutrition. It also increases the risk of diseases spreading between animals and humans, while lowering the quality of our drinking water. When the environment suffers, animals and people do too.  

Here in rural Ontario, these connections are especially relevant. Agriculture, clean water sources, and close interactions with animals are part of daily life. Protecting our shared environment is essential not only for our health today, but also for the resilience of future generations. 

House hidden by a Willow, Sage Milne

The Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health has been developing a project called Roots & Resilience, which applies the One Health approach in our region. It is an initiative focusing on improving the mental well-being of youth, supporting local pollinators, reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills, and promoting the growth of native plants. 

The good news is you don’t need to be a doctor or scientist to contribute to One Health. Small, everyday actions make a big difference. Vaccinate your pets to protect them—and your family—since many diseases can pass from animals to humans. COVID-19, for instance, originated from animals. Protect the environment by reducing waste, composting, recycling, and avoiding harmful chemicals that pollute soil and water. Support local farmers who use sustainable practices, volunteer with environmental or health organizations, or join a community clean-up.  

By recognizing the connections between human, animal, and environmental health, we can take collective steps toward healthier communities and a healthier planet. We encourage community members to learn more, get involved, and explore how their everyday choices can support One Health—because the health of each of us depends on the health of all. 

About Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health  

Founded in 2008 in the community of Seaforth, ON, Gateway CERH is a not-for-profit rural health research organization run by a community-based volunteer board of directors. Gateway CERH's main mission is to better the health and quality of life of rural residents through research, education and communication. Learn more on the Gateway CERH website at: https://www.gatewayruralhealth.ca/ and follow on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube