Promoting Sustainable Development through the One Health Approach: Insights from Bangladesh

Authors

  • Sazib Miah Training Capacity Building Officer, USAID AUAFP/shukhijibon, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Ehsan Ahmed Research Associate, International Online Journal Hub, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Md. Hasan Jafre Shovon Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jashore University of Science and Technology
  • Ahsan Hanif Research Assistant, International Online Journal Hub, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Kariul Islam Founder & CEO, International Online Journal Hub, Dhaka, Bangladesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61561/ssbgjms.v6i02.93

Keywords:

Zoonotic diseases, Food security, Collaboration, Communities, Health outcomes, Sustainable practices, One Health Approach

Abstract

Introduction: The One Health approach offers a promising framework for addressing the intertwined challenges of human health, animal health, and the environment, essential for achieving sustainable development. Understanding the specific insights gained from implementing this approach in Bangladesh will not only contribute to the local context but also provide valuable lessons for other regions facing similar challenges. By promoting collaboration and integration, the One Health approach has the potential to pave the way for a sustainable and resilient future for Bangladesh and contribute to global efforts towards sustainable development.

Methods: A literature search was conducted on open access databases like PubMed Central, Scopus, Web of Science, using relevant keywords and search terms. Open access articles, including research papers, review articles, and other publications related to the topic were collected. Each article was critically evaluated, taking into consideration factors such as the quality of the research, the credibility of the authors, and the impact of the publication.

Findings: The One Health approach in Bangladesh has led to the establishment of effective surveillance systems, early detection mechanisms, and rapid response strategies for infectious diseases and zoonotic outbreaks. This has greatly contributed to preventing and managing public health crises. Bangladesh has successfully implemented the One Health approach to address health challenges impacting humans and animals. Through collaboration between human and animal health sectors, the country has effectively controlled zoonotic diseases, such as avian influenza and Nipah virus. The integration of veterinary and agricultural sectors has improved food safety by addressing the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in animal husbandry. The One Health approach in Bangladesh aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), and Goal 15 (Life on Land). Bangladesh's success exemplifies the importance of recognizing the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health for sustainable development.

Conclusion: The One Health strategy has shown to be an effective foundation for encouraging sustainable development. It acknowledges the linkages between the health of people, animals, and the environment and offers insightful solutions to difficult problems. Bangladesh has achieved considerable success in utilizing the power of One Health to create a healthier population, healthy ecosystems, and a more sustainable future. This achievement has been made possible by cooperation between government organizations, researchers, medical professionals, and local communities.

Introduction: The One Health approach offers a promising framework for addressing the intertwined challenges of human health, animal health, and the environment, essential for achieving sustainable development. Understanding the specific insights gained from implementing this approach in Bangladesh will not only contribute to the local context but also provide valuable lessons for other regions facing similar challenges. By promoting collaboration and integration, the One Health approach has the potential to pave the way for a sustainable and resilient future for Bangladesh and contribute to global efforts towards sustainable development.

Methods: A literature search was conducted on open access databases like PubMed Central, Scopus, Web of Science, using relevant keywords and search terms. Open access articles, including research papers, review articles, and other publications related to the topic were collected. Each article was critically evaluated, taking into consideration factors such as the quality of the research, the credibility of the authors, and the impact of the publication.

Findings: The One Health approach in Bangladesh has led to the establishment of effective surveillance systems, early detection mechanisms, and rapid response strategies for infectious diseases and zoonotic outbreaks. This has greatly contributed to preventing and managing public health crises. Bangladesh has successfully implemented the One Health approach to address health challenges impacting humans and animals. Through collaboration between human and animal health sectors, the country has effectively controlled zoonotic diseases, such as avian influenza and Nipah virus. The integration of veterinary and agricultural sectors has improved food safety by addressing the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in animal husbandry. The One Health approach in Bangladesh aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), and Goal 15 (Life on Land). Bangladesh's success exemplifies the importance of recognizing the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health for sustainable development.

Conclusion: The One Health strategy has shown to be an effective foundation for encouraging sustainable development. It acknowledges the linkages between the health of people, animals, and the environment and offers insightful solutions to difficult problems. Bangladesh has achieved considerable success in utilizing the power of One Health to create a healthier population, healthy ecosystems, and a more sustainable future. This achievement has been made possible by cooperation between government organizations, researchers, medical professionals, and local communities.

References

1. The One Health Approach—Why Is It So Important? - PMC [Internet]. [cited 2023 Jun 5]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6630404/

2. One Health Basics | One Health | CDC [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2023 Jun 5]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/onehealth/basics/index.html

3. Rahman MM, Ahmad S, Mahmud AS, Hassan-uz-Zaman Md, Nahian MA, Ahmed A, et al. Health consequences of climate change in Bangladesh: An overview of the evidence, knowledge gaps and challenges. WIREs Clim Change. 2019;10(5): e601.

4. Overcoming challenges for designing and implementing the One Health approach: A systematic review of the literature - PMC [Internet]. [cited 2023 Jun 5]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6475629/

5. Stadtländer CTKH. One Health: people, animals, and the environment. Infect Ecol Epidemiol. 2015 Jan 1;5(1):30514.

6. Zoonoses [Internet]. [cited 2023 Jun 5]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/zoonoses

7. One health [Internet]. [cited 2023 Jun 5]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/one-health

8. Importance of a One Health approach in advancing global health security and the Sustainable Development Goals - PubMed [Internet]. [cited 2023 Jun 5]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31564744/

9. UN Environment Programme joins alliance to implement One Health approach [Internet]. [cited 2023 Jun 5]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news/item/18-03-2022-un-environment-programme-joins-alliance-to-implement-one-health-approach

10. Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) [Internet]. [cited 2023 Jun 5]. Available from: https://www.iedcr.gov.bd/site/page/9a0d1d63-a7ac-4607-ac80-7d046f8fc7f8/

11. Zekarias T, Shapa Y, Endale Z. One Health Approach for Prevention and Control of Zoonotic Diseases: A Review. In 2020 [cited 2023 Jun 5]. Available from: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/One-Health-Approach-for-Prevention-and-Control-of-A-Zekarias-Shapa/002a38af7b4bf371de0461cc0c9475bab1f941e8

12. Sleeman JM, Richgels KLD, White CL, Stephen C. Integration of wildlife and environmental health into a One Health approach: -EN- -FR- La santé de la faune sauvage et celle de l’environnement intégrées dans l’approche Une seule santé -ES- Integración de la sanidad de la fauna silvestre y la salud ambiental en la lógica de Una sola salud. Rev Sci Tech OIE. 2019 May 1;38(1):91–102.

13. Cleaveland S, Borner M, Gislason M. Ecology and conservation: contributions to One Health: -EN- Ecology and conservation: contributions to One Health -FR- Les contributions de l’écologie et de la protection de la nature aux objectifs « Une seule santé » -ES- Aportaciones a «Una sola salud» de la ecología y la protección de la naturaleza. Rev Sci Tech OIE. 2014 Aug 1;33(2):615–27.

14. Shariff M. Food safety: a linchpin of One Health: -EN- -FR- Sécurité sanitaire des aliments: un pilier d’Une seule santé -ES- La inocuidad de los alimentos, pieza clave de Una sola salud. Rev Sci Tech OIE. 2019 May 1;38(1):123–33.

15. Garcia SN, Osburn BI, Jay-Russell MT. One Health for Food Safety, Food Security, and Sustainable Food Production. In: Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2023 Jun 5]. p. 1. Available from: https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fsufs.2020.00001/full

16. Allen-Scott LK, Buntain B, Hatfield JM, Meisser A, Thomas CJ. Academic Institutions and One Health: Building Capacity for Transdisciplinary Research Approaches to Address Complex Health Issues at the Animal–Human–Ecosystem Interface. Acad Med. 2015 Jul;90(7):866–71.

17. PREDICT Consortium, Kelly TR, Machalaba C, Karesh WB, Crook PZ, Gilardi K, et al. Implementing One Health approaches to confront emerging and re-emerging zoonotic disease threats: lessons from PREDICT. One Health Outlook. 2020 Dec;2(1):1.

18. Conrad PA, Meek LA, Dumit J. Operationalizing a One Health approach to global health challenges. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis. 2013 May;36(3):211–6.

19. Vesterinen HM, Dutcher TV, Errecaborde KM, Mahero MW, Macy KW, Prasarnphanich OO, et al. Strengthening multi-sectoral collaboration on critical health issues: One Health Systems Mapping and Analysis Resource Toolkit (OH-SMART) for operationalizing One Health. Selvey LA, editor. PLOS ONE. 2019 Jul 5;14(7): e0219197.

20. Dahal R, Upadhyay A, Ewald B. One Health in South Asia and its challenges in implementation from stakeholder perspective. Vet Rec. 2017 Oct 30;181: vetrec–2016.

21. Islam A. Health System in Bangladesh: Challenges and Opportunities. Am J Health Res. 2014;2(6):366.

22. Atlas R, Hyde B, Maloy S, Colwell R, Rubin C, Daszak P. One Health—Attaining Optimal Health for People, Animals, and the Environment: Adopting the One Health paradigm is crucial for understanding emerging diseases and meeting future challenges in global health. Microbe Mag. 2010 Jan 1;5(9):383–9.

23. Sinclair JR. Importance of a One Health approach in advancing global health security and the Sustainable Development Goals: -EN- -FR- Importance de l’approche Une seule santé pour améliorer la sécurité sanitaire mondiale et atteindre les objectifs de développement durable -ES- Importancia de la noción de Una sola salud para promover la seguridad sanitaria mundial y los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible. Rev Sci Tech OIE. 2019 May 1;38(1):145–54.

24. Machalaba C, Raufman J, Anyamba A, Berrian AM, Berthe FCJ, Gray GC, et al. Applying a One Health Approach in Global Health and Medicine: Enhancing Involvement of Medical Schools and Global Health Centers. Ann Glob Health. 2021 Mar 26;87(1):30.

25. King LJ. Combating the Triple Threat: The Need for a One Health Approach. Atlas RM, editor. Microbiol Spectr. 2013 Oct 31;1(1):1.1.08.

26. Muhammad F, Chowdhury M, Arifuzzaman M, Chowdhury AA. Public Health Problems in Bangladesh: Issues and challenges. South East Asia J Public Health. 2017 Apr 22;6(2):11–6.

27. One Health Approach must to ease zoonotic diseases in Bangladesh | Online Version [Internet]. [cited 2023 Jun 5]. Available from: https://www.daily-

Page | 16 SSB Global Journal of Medical Science, ISSN: 2709-8699 (Online); 2789-6951(Print), Volume 6 Issue 2 – Apr-Jun, 2025

sun.com/post/667074/One-Health-Approach-must-to-ease-zoonotic-diseases-in-Bangladesh

28. One health [Internet]. [cited 2023 Jun 5]. Available from: https://www.fao.org/one-health/en

29. Prata JC, Ribeiro AI, Rocha-Santos T. Chapter 1 - An introduction to the concept of One Health. In: Prata JC, Ribeiro AI, Rocha-Santos T, editors. One Health [Internet]. Academic Press; 2022 [cited 2023 Jun 5]. p. 1–31. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128227947000046

30. Viegas S. One Health approach for the SDGs achievement. Eur J Public Health. 2022 Oct 21;32(Supplement_3):ckac129.017.

Published

2025-07-29

How to Cite

Sazib Miah, Ehsan Ahmed, Hasan Jafre Shovon, Ahsan Hanif, & Kariul Islam. (2025). Promoting Sustainable Development through the One Health Approach: Insights from Bangladesh. SSB Global Journal of Medical Science, 6(02), 3–9. https://doi.org/10.61561/ssbgjms.v6i02.93

Issue

Section

Articles

Similar Articles

<< < 1 2 3 4 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.