The One Health approach recognizes that human, animal, and environmental health are interconnected, with important implications for how we address animal welfare alongside disease prevention and ecosystem protection.
One Health provides a powerful argument that animal welfare is not merely an ethical concern but a practical necessity for global health security. Animals raised in poor welfare conditions are more susceptible to disease, driving antibiotic overuse and pathogen evolution. Stressed wildlife in fragmented habitats are more likely to come into contact with humans and livestock, increasing spillover risk. Better animal welfare is thus integral to pandemic prevention.