The Role of “One Health” in Pediatric Well-Being

The concept of One Health has emerged as a globally recognized paradigm for addressing complex health challenges that transcend traditional, sectoral boundaries. This integrated and unifying approach is endorsed by leading international and regional organizations, including the World Health Organization, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the European Commission. It represents a direct and necessary response to a world in which human health is inextricably linked to animal health and environmental sustainability. The paradigm recognizes that the dynamic interplay among these 3 domains underlies many of the most significant and pressing health threats facing humanity today, ranging from emerging infectious diseases to antimicrobial resistance. This commentary, authored by members of the Working Group on Social Pediatrics of the European Pediatric Association, the Union of National European Pediatric Societies and Associations, briefly discusses the One Health framework, with a specific focus on its critical relevance to and application in the health and development of children and the field of pediatrics. This brief overview draws on established One Health principles and applies them to the specific context of major pediatric vulnerabilities. The objective is to emphasize that a proactive, integrated One Health approach is far more than a tool for preventing future zoonotic outbreaks; rather, One Health represents a key strategy for sustainably optimizing the long-term health, development, and resilience of pediatric populations. Indeed, the unique physiological and behavioral vulnerabilities of children make a paradigm shift unavoidable, from compartmentalized pediatric care toward a holistic system that accounts for the environmental and animal determinants of their health.