The One Welfare framework recognizes the interconnections between human, animal, and environmental wellbeing. Understanding these connections enables more effective and holistic welfare advocacy.
The One Welfare framework provides a conceptual tool for understanding why animal welfare improvements often coincide with human welfare improvements and vice versa. Farmers experiencing depression and burnout provide worse animal welfare - livestock welfare therefore benefits from farmer mental health support. Communities with food insecurity often turn to whatever protein source is available, sometimes harming animal welfare - food security programs therefore benefit animals. Environmental protection that enables wildlife welfare also provides ecosystem services that protect human health. These connections argue for holistic advocacy that supports human wellbeing alongside animal welfare rather than treating them as competing priorities.