“Embracing the One Health concept drives public health, veterinary medicine and environmental sustainability.

Team OHPA

One Health: what and why?

One Health is an integrated and innovative approach that views health as a whole, recognizing the connection between human healthanimal health, and the environment.

This philosophy promotes collaboration among multiple professionals (doctors, veterinarians, environmental scientists, and other specialists) with a single goal: achieving optimal health for all.

One Health is primarily about respect, empathy, and sustainability

Why is it so important?

One Health: what does it mean in practice?

It comes about through cooperation, coordination, and the fostering of synergies

Veterinarians and doctors work together to promote a healthier population by preventing and controlling diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans (zoonoses). Examples include Leishmaniasis, Rabies, Brucellosis, Dengue Fever, and Q Fever, among many others.

Environmentalists monitor ecosystems to ensure they remain healthy, reducing the risk of new diseases such as Lyme disease and West Nile virus while promoting biodiversity.

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Together, we shape a future that is healthier, stronger, and more sustainable for everyone.

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One Health in Portugal

In Portugal, adopting the One Health model has gained significant importance.

Government bodies, educational institutions, companies, and organizations have aligned their principles and implemented new technologies, study programs, research projects, and events to raise awareness of this issue.

Now, let's look at the numbers:

> National Health Plan 2021-2030:
emphasizes intersectoral coordination to address zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance.

> General Directorate of Food and Veterinary Affairs (DGAV):
promotes the monitoring and controlling of zoonoses and food safety.

> Higher Education:
teaching programmes and research projects in “One Health” (currently, ten universities offer courses and master’s degrees focused on this topic).

> Research Projects:
over 20 projects and 5 million euros funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT).

> Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Industries:
development of products for integrated health.

> Agricultural Sector:
promotion of sustainable practices and animal welfare.

> Events and Conferences:
an average of 15 annual forums are held across the country, from north to south, alongside numerous workshops and lectures.

> Scientific Publications:
a 15% annual increase in publications on “One Health”.

> International Collaboration:
participation in European programmes such as Horizon Europe and One Health EJP.