WHAT IS ONE HEALTH?

Today’s complex health issues – infectious diseases, food safety , antimicrobial resistance – provide increasing evidence that human, plant and animal, and environment health are connected in more ways than we ever imagined. So much so, that global examples abound of disruptions in one species or ecosystem reverberating throughout the rest of the “system,” even half a world away.  And that socio-economic conditions are often pivotal in the extent of disruptions and recovery in the affected communities.

One Health is the collaborative effort of multiple disciplines working together on our planet’s most complex animal, human and environmental health problems.

ONE HEALTH and the UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH

The University of Guelph is consistently ranked as one of Canada’s top research-intensive, comprehensive universities. And the Ontario Veterinary College is among the five best in the world.

One Health is not new to the U of G. With its roots in veterinary medicine and food production, researchers here have long understood the close relationship between the health of plants, animals, people and the land that supported them.

Today we are developing transdisciplinary graduates with the unique skills to effectively address complex health issues using a One Health approach. The One Health Institute was established in 2018 to provide focus and support to One Health initiatives in all seven colleges across campus.

Guelph researchers are using a One Health approach to tackle many of the most pressing health issues of our time including:

For more examples of One Health research, teaching and building a Community of Practice at the University of Guelph, please go to The One Health Institute’s 2021 report.