FHI 360 believes in the concept of One Health, an approach to human development that addresses the interconnectivity of three systems simultaneously: humans, animals and the environment. This approach recognizes nature as an indispensable ally and requires us to unleash human ingenuity in the service of sustainability to secure our own and the planet’s health and well-being.
A One Health concern, for example, is the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which develops when bacterial pathogens no longer respond to medicines and make infections harder to treat. Some of these bacterial pathogens infect animals (both domestic and wild) and humans, leading to zoonotic transmission of disease. Scientists estimate that more than 60 percent of known infectious diseases in humans can be spread from animals. These transmissions are becoming more frequent due to increased close contacts between wildlife and humans through encroachments of lands, deforestation and urbanization. FHI 360 has worked to prevent AMR in Asia and Africa by improving the surveillance and detection of AMR in both humans and animals, using evidence to inform interventions that improve sound stewardship and governance of antibiotics.
As a leader in human development and global health, FHI 360 brings deep experience and expertise to One Health partnerships. FHI 360 is implementing One Health programming in Nepal and Vietnam with support from the Fleming Fund and in Ethiopia, Guinea, Indonesia and Kenya with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development.
FHI 360’s One Health expertise includes:
- Antimicrobial resistance detection and response
- Antimicrobial use, stewardship and governance
- Emerging pandemic threats
- Infectious and tropical diseases
- Emergency nutrition and food security
- Water, sanitation and hygiene
- Agriculture and land use
- Natural resource management
- Urban challenges and the built environment
- Waste management
- Water and energy efficiency
