
"One Health" task force
A common framework for action outlines how the "One Health" concept can be successfully implemented in Europe.
UM – 05/2024
The One Health cross-agency task force has developed a framework
for action that contains a vision, goals and proposed measures for its
work. The aim is to guide the EU agencies involved in successfully implementing
the "One Health" concept. As a result, both the EU and its Member
States should be able to prevent health risks or react appropriately to such
risks. So much for the vision.
Strategic objectives
To realise its vision, the task force aims
to establish and consolidate interdisciplinary cooperation between the
concerned EU agencies, based on the principles of coordination, cooperation,
comunication and capacity building. The institutions involved are the European
Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the European Chemicals Agency
(ECHA), the European Environment Agency (EEA), the European Food Safety
Authority (EFSA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Creating cross-agency knowledge
The Framework for Action aims to make a
concrete contribution to facilitating strategic and cross-sectoral coordination
and better coordinating research projects and agenda-setting. Communication and
stakeholder engagement should also be improved; the development of partnerships
should be supported through joint activities. As a result, capacities and
skills are to be built up within the framework of the One Health concept. The
period from 2024 to 2026 has initially been envisaged for this.
Because everything is interconnected
The One Health concept is based on the
assumption that human health is closely linked to the health of animals and the
environment. Associated topics relating to health are also linked to this, such
as human and veterinary medicine, animal feed and food, as well as
environmental protection, biodiversity and climate change. Because everything
is interconnected, health strategies need to be cross-cutting.
Success through "One Health"
The German Social Insurance expressly
supports the One Health concept. The fight against antimicrobial resistance is
a striking example of how crucial it is to take a joint approach to feed yard
operation, the discharge of wastewater and waste into the environment, hygiene
in healthcare facilities and the individual handling of antimicrobial drugs.
Countermeasures must be coordinated in order to be highly effective. Intensive
cooperation between the agencies involved, as described in the "Cross-agency
One Health task force framework for action 2024-2026" action plan, follows
this realisation and is expressly welcomed.