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- Talk
- 14/09/2021
- UK
One Health: Breaking Barriers between Animal and Human Health
Description
The video transcript presents a comprehensive overview of the One Health concept, emphasizing its significance in achieving optimal health outcomes for humans, animals, and the environment. Christopher Little initiates the discussion with a brief historical context of One Health, tracing its origins back to early medical thinkers like Hippocrates and Rudolph Virchow, who recognized the interconnectedness of health between humans and animals, particularly in the context of zoonotic diseases.
The transcript highlights the evolution of the One Health framework, showcasing its formal recognition in modern medical discourse and its collaboration with various stakeholders, including veterinary and human medical organizations. The discussion points out the increasing relevance of One Health in addressing both infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases, reflecting on the impact of shared health challenges across species.
Little underscores that the majority of new infectious diseases over the past three decades have zoonotic origins, quickly drawing attention to the urgent health implications of diseases transmitted from animals to humans. He further elaborates on a case study involving an E. coli outbreak to exemplify how One Health approaches enable healthcare professionals to trace disease origins through environmental and animal health examinations.
Transitioning toward non-communicable diseases, the video hints at an exciting frontier for One Health research, where similarities in disease mechanisms across species can lead to groundbreaking discoveries in translational medicine.
Joel Alves introduces the next segment, focusing on orthopedic research within One Health, touching on the parallels and collaborative opportunities between human and veterinary orthopedic practices. He introduces Professor Eithne Comerford, who discusses cranial cruciate ligament disease, a prevalent issue in both canine and human patients, thus exemplifying the potential for improved health outcomes through interdisciplinary approaches.