One Health: How Humans, Animals, & the Environment Are Connected

One Health Day, celebrated on November 3, reminds us that human, animal, and environmental health are deeply connected. In this post, I’ll explore what One Health really means, share examples of it in action, and highlight simple ways you can make a difference in your own community.

Have you ever stopped to think about how your health is connected to the animals and environment around you? I often think about how every choice we make ripples through the world, from the air we breathe to the animals we share our environment with. This is the idea behind One Health, a concept that shows just how interconnected our world really is.

What is One Health?

One Health is the understanding that the health of humans, animals, and the environment are all intertwined. Problems in one area can ripple through the others, sometimes in surprising ways.

For example:

• Zoonotic diseases: Some diseases, like rabies, avian flu, or Lyme disease, can pass from animals to humans. Monitoring animal health helps prevent outbreaks.

• Environmental impacts: Pollution, deforestation, and climate change can disrupt ecosystems, which in turn affects the animals and people that rely on them.

• Food safety & security: Healthy environments support healthy crops, livestock, and fisheries, which feed communities around the world.

One Health in Action

A concrete example of One Health in action comes from sea turtle conservation. When local waterways become polluted, turtles can ingest plastics or toxic chemicals, harming their health. This pollution also affects humans through seafood contamination or compromised coastal ecosystems. By monitoring and protecting the turtles’ habitats, conservationists are protecting human health and preserving the environment at the same time.

In urban settings, cities that maintain green spaces, plant trees, and protect small

wildlife corridors help reduce heat islands, improve air quality, and support residents’ mental and physical health. Colorado is leading the way with projects like the Greenland Wildlife Overpass on I-25, which will be the world’s largest wildlife overpass at 200 feet wide and 209 feet long.

This bridge allows animals to safely cross highways, connecting habitats and reducing vehicle collisions. Initiatives like this support local biodiversity while also benefiting human communities.

Practical Ways to Make A Difference

One Health is not just for scientists or policymakers. It has practical implications for everyday life. By protecting animals and the environment, we also safeguard human health. Actions such as reducing chemical runoff into waterways, supporting sustainable farming, or volunteering in habitat restoration all contribute to this interconnected system.

For those who want to dig deeper:

• WHO One Health

• One Health Day

Understanding One Health helps us see that our choices, both big and small, matter.

Protecting wildlife, reducing pollution, or learning about local ecosystems all contribute to healthier communities for humans and animals alike.

This is just the beginning of exploring One Health. If you want to dive deeper into the connections that sustain us all and be the first to know when new blog posts drop, subscribe to the Wandering Wave newsletter and join the journey to understand, appreciate, and protect the world we share.