Tek Sağlık Yaklaşımının Genel İlkeleri ve Küresel Ortak Eylem Planı

One Health approach, although not a novel concept, has increasingly gained significant importance in the agendas of international organizations over the past three to four decades. This rise in attention is largely due to the global emergence and re-emergence of zoonotic epidemics and pandemics, escalating antimicrobial resistance, ecosystem degradation, and the multifaceted impacts of climate change on human, animal, and environmental health, as well as their broader implications for international trade and economic systems. In this context, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) have defined One Health as “an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, plants, and ecosystems,” and have published global joint plan of action that serve as significant guidance documents. One Health paradigm underscores the necessity of coordinated, interdisciplinary collaboration across critical domains, including zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), food and water safety, environmental health, and climate change, adopting a holistic perspective. It is estimated that approximately 60% of pathogens causing human infections are zoonotic, of which around 70% originate from wildlife. Moreover, nearly 90% of foodborne infections and intoxications are attributed to animal sources. Antimicrobial resistance often termed a “silent pandemic” represents a growing global public health threat and, if unaddressed, could result in an estimated 10 million deaths annually by 2050. FAO data indicate that 733 million people worldwide suffer from chronic hunger, while the WHO reports approximately 420.000 annual deaths attributable to foodborne illnesses. Additionally, human- induced increases in greenhouse gas emissions and the consequent acceleration of climate change constitute a significant global threat. Effectively addressing these complex, multidimensional challenges that simultaneously affect human, animal, and environmental health requires One Health approach, which is predicated on shared understanding and interdisciplinary collaboration at national, regional, and global levels. Nonetheless, the implementation of One Health principles faces considerable obstacles, including insufficient legal frameworks, institutional structures, and sustainable financing mechanisms. Achieving the objectives outlined within the One Health framework thus necessitates addressing these structural gaps and strengthening cooperation among public institutions, sectors, academic entities, and professional organizations.