ECDC One Health Framework

In addition, the proposed One Health framework seeks to unite the efforts of ECDC, the European Commission, other EU agencies and the Member States in identifying, preventing, controlling and responding to current and emerging infectious diseases through a One Health approach. By fostering collaboration across sectors, mandates and borders, the aim is to enhance and develop the interoperability and coordination of existing efforts for the prevention and control of communicable diseases to improve and safeguard public health in the EU/EEA.

The concept and benefits of the One Health approach are well recognised at EU and Member State level in both a scientific and political context, however, the practical implementation across sectors at EU level and in many Member States has only just begun. Moreover, the process will require substantial efforts and investment of resources at all levels. This can be attributed to the complex nature of the concept and the extensive coordination and collaboration required to follow a One Health approach.

Adoption and implementation of the One Health approach requires cross-sectoral collaboration, while acknowledging that attention to environmental health is crucial. Planetary health, as developed by the Lancet Commission, recognises that human health and civilisation depend on natural systems and their wise stewardship. This approach seems particularly relevant in the current context of climate change, where human health increasingly suffers under the progressive degradation of natural systems. According to the recently published European Climate Risk Assessment, Europe will not be spared, as it is the fastest warming continent in the world. Climate-related health risks include factors favouring the spread of infectious diseases on the European continent, such as temperature-induced migration of vectors transmitting diseases and the increased occurrence of extreme events, such as flooding or droughts, favouring the spread of food- and waterborne diseases. Health equity is particularly crucial in this context, with social vulnerabilities expected to increase as climate change affects the EU/EEA, including its outermost territories.

ECDC’s vision is to help save lives through the improvement of public health systems in Europe by applying scientific excellence, which, in turn, will enable Member States, the European Commission, and other partners to drive forward public health policy and practice. At agency level, the implementation of the One Health approach has implications for both ECDC’s internal activities and its interactions with partners and stakeholders in the Member States, the European Commission, and other EU agencies.

The importance of applying the One Health approach is emphasised by the Regulation 2022/2371 on Serious Cross-Border Threats to Health, which establishes the requirement for regular assessments of the status of preparedness in the Member States (Articles 7 and 8) and the creation of an EU Health Task Force to support countries in preparing and responding to health emergencies.