One Health

WHAT IS ONE HEALTH?

One Health is a systems-based approach that brings together human (physical and mental), animal, and environmental health to create a holistic and interdisciplinary framework to guide strategies for the prevention, management, and treatment of global health issues. This holistic approach is inherent to Indigenous conceptions of wellness, which informs some of the research conducted by CHAIM researchers.

A One Health approach is foundational to the work of researchers across disciplines, some examples of which include:

impacts of climate change on sustainable living in remote Indigenous communities
developing an understanding of anti-microbial resistance
the role of pets in promoting health outcomes of vulnerable populations
the importance of communication in conveying health risks

A One Health approach to the health challenges that face the planet today requires collaborations across multiple disciplines working locally, nationally, and globally. It works at the intersection of human and animal health, with the natural and built environments contributing to, and transforming this relationship.

Many One Health initiatives are driven by socioeconomic issues that include, but are not limited to population growth; nutritional, agricultural, and trade practices; poverty; globalization; land use and resource development; urbanization and migration; social justice and conflict; and climate change.

Problem identification and solution seeking from a One Health perspective requires not only an understanding of the fundamental biological mechanisms underlying health risks and the transmission of disease, but also an astute awareness of the cultural and political contexts in which humans interact with each other and their environments; an understanding of the human psyche that motivates behaviour; knowledge of environmental patterns and changes in the ecosystems in which we are embedded; communication strategies and policy developments that alter individual and system behaviours; and a capacity for efficient, effective, and innovative technical, social, and biological interventions.

In short, One Health entails an awareness of the intricate and complex relationships among the many elements that influence human mental and physical health.

The CHAIM Centre is building on our interdisciplinary foundation to bring researchers together from across disciplines, academic institutions, and partner organizations to be a leader in education, research and outreach in One Health. Over the years, we have hosted multiple speakers adopting a One Health perspective. We have also partnered with research teams in their pursuit of funding to engage in trans-disciplinary initiatives to address global health issues using a One Health framework. Our most notable activity has been to engage students, faculty researchers, and community partners in our annual One HEALtH student Challenge.

One HEALtH Student Challenge

The One HEALtH (Human, Environmental, and Animal Links to Health) Challenge is an annual competition for Carleton undergraduate students in which interdisciplinary teams come together with a graduate mentor and work for six weeks to tackle a complex health issue facing our world today. Through this challenge, the CHAIM Centre is working to bring students and researchers together from across disciplines, academic institutions, and partner organizations to be leaders in education, research and outreach in One Health.

Past Challenges:

Interested in the Microbiome?

Learn more about how a One Health approach can enrich our understanding of the links between human health and exposure to microbiota in the environment and through interactions with animals.

Check out the CHAIM Centre’s collection of resources on the microbiome:

MICROBIOME RESOURCE