Animal welfare is connected to human health through zoonotic disease, antibiotic resistance, food safety, and the mental health benefits of the human-animal bond.
Animal welfare and human health are more deeply connected than is often recognized. The conditions under which animals are kept affect zoonotic disease emergence, antibiotic resistance development, food safety, and the physical and mental health of workers in animal industries. Simultaneously, the human-animal bond provides documented health benefits including reduced stress, lower blood pressure, and improved mental health outcomes for companion animal owners. These connections mean that improving animal welfare has spillover benefits for human health, and that supporting human-animal relationships serves both human and animal wellbeing simultaneously.