One Health and Roles of Chemical Sciences

One Health is a framework that recognises the interconnection between human health, animal health and environmental health. It is a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach that aims to develop strategies to prevent and control diseases, improve health outcomes, and address the global challenges of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), food safety, and environmental degradation. Chemical science plays a crucial role in supporting the One Health framework. Chemical sciences should have a significant role, but its integration has been insufficient. Specifically, the lack of systemic chemical surveillance, the continued use of environmentally persistent compounds, and inadequate chemical risk assessment models present substantial obstacles to achieving One Health objectives. This article examines the central yet underutilised role of chemical sciences in catalysing the One Health paradigm shift. The aim is to demonstrate how chemical sciences can provide molecular-level insights and technologies to predict, prevent, and mitigate health threats at the human-animal-environment interface. From the design of safer pharmaceuticals and veterinary drugs to the monitoring and remediation of environmental contaminants, chemistry is uniquely positioned to contribute transformative tools and knowledge. The integration of chemical sciences into One Health is challenged by a lack of research collaboration, insufficient interdisciplinary training, and regulatory frameworks that account for the ecological impact of chemicals. This review explores the contributions of chemical sciences to the One Health concept and advocates for the detection, analysis, and mitigation of chemical hazards that impact human, animal, and environmental health. This review also addresses possible solutions: (1) the incorporation of One Health principles into chemical science education and training; (2) the development of collaborative research platforms that bridge chemistry with epidemiology, veterinary sciences, and ecology; (3) policy reforms to strengthen regulation of chemical use across sectors; and (4) the advancement of green chemistry and sustainable design principles to minimise environmental and biological impacts at the source. Additionally, innovations in chemical informatics and sensor technologies can enhance real-time surveillance and facilitate data-driven decision-making. Meanwhile, chemical sciences should be repositioned as one of the core pillars of the One Health framework, and the practice should be holistic, sustainable and preventive instead of reactive.