ADVANCE infectious diseases pharmacy through collaboration, research and education and LEAD antimicrobial stewardship to OPTIMIZE the care of patients with infections in every practice setting

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SIDP advocates a One Health approach to antimicrobial stewardship initiatives. A One Health approach recognizes the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and the environment. This approach encompasses many issues such as anticipating, preventing, detecting, and controlling diseases that spread between humans and animals, preventing and addressing antimicrobial resistance, and improving food and water safety.

What is One Health?

One Health is an approach that recognizes health is interconnected between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations defines One Health as “an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems.”



Why is One Health important?

60% of pathogens (or germs) that cause disease in humans originate from animals
  • An increasing number of people in close contact with 

    both domestic and wild animals can lead to more

    diseases passed between animals and people

250,000 additional deaths per year expected from climate change between 2030 and 2050
  • Climate change and changes in land use can disrupt 

    environments and lead to more disease in animals

71% of U.S. adults have traveled abroad at some point in their lives, which increases the risk of exposure to infectious pathogens
  • Increased movement of people, animals, and animal 
    products via international travel and trade can lead 

    to a rapid spread of diseases around the world


What are common One Health issues?

Common One Health issues include:

  • Zoonotic diseases - Diseases that spread between animals and people
    • April 2025: An emerging zoonotic disease is the H5 bird flu, which is spreading from wild birds to poultry, cows, and cats, and from these animals to humans. Refer to the CDC to keep up to date on this situation.
  • Vector-borne diseases - Diseases that are transmitted to humans and other animals by blood-feeding arthropods, such as mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas
  • Antimicrobial resistance - Antimicrobial-resistant pathogens can quickly spread between the environment, animals, and people making it harder to treat certain infections
  • Food safety and security - Diseases, pests, chemical treatments in plants and animals used for food can threaten people, livelihoods, and economies
  • Environmental contamination - Contamination of water and/or lack of access to clean water can make people and animals sick
  • Climate change - Disruptions in the environment, such as deforestation, can result in diseases passing to animals and humans


The Foundation of One Health

One Health requires a multidisciplinary approach among professionals in:

  • Human health (e.g., physicians, nurses, pharmacists, public health practitioners, epidemiologists)
  • Animal health (e.g., veterinarians, agricultural workers)
  • Environmental health (e.g., ecologists, wildlife experts)
  • Others



Goals of a One Health Approach

According to the CDC, the One Health approach can:

  • Prevent outbreaks of zoonotic disease in animals and people
  • Improve food and water safety and security
  • Reduce antimicrobial-resistant infections and improve human and animal health
  • Protect global health security
  • Protect environmental biodiversity and conservation


Educational Materials

SIDP One Health Education Handouts

       One Health Overview for Patients

  
One Health Overview for Providers




 







Resources


Handout References


Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists •  PO Box 1488, Warrenville, IL 60555
(331) 248-7888 • sidp@affinity-strategies.com
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