The “One Health” concept has been gaining traction among public health policymakers in recent years — but questions remain about what One Health really means, who’s behind the concept and whether what started out as a sound idea has since been hijacked by individuals or groups that see it as a means to expand their power.
By Michael Nevradakis, Ph.D., Children’s Health Defense, April 27, 2023
Michael Nevradakis, Ph.D., based in Athens, Greece, is a senior reporter for The Defender and part of the rotation of hosts for CHD.TV’s “Good Morning CHD.”
Editor’s note: This is part one of a two-part series on the One Health initiative. Part 1 introduces the One Health concept, looks at who is promoting it and draws connections between One Health and the COVID-19 pandemic narrative of the last three years.
The “One Health” concept has been gaining traction among public health policymakers in recent years — but questions remain about what One Health really means, who’s behind the concept and whether what started out as a sound idea has since been hijacked by individuals or groups that see it as a means to expand their power.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines One Health as “an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems,” as they are “closely linked and interdependent.”
On the surface, that approach sounds noble and reasonable. But some scientists and medical experts told The Defender they’re concerned about the concept’s vague goals, and the motivation of those involved with the development and global rollout of the concept — including the WHO, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Bank. …
