Act now: you, me, community- embracing the one health approach

Around the world, the connections between human, animal, and environmental health have never been more obvious. COVID-19 disrupted every aspect of life and reminded us how quickly a virus can jump borders. Avian influenza continues to threaten poultry and occasionally humans. Nipah virus emerges with high fatality rates in South Asia, while African swine fever devastates pig populations and farmer livelihoods. These outbreaks reveal a simple truth- human health is not separate from animal health or the environment we all share. The call to “Act Now: You, Me, Community” captures this interdependence. “You” stands for individual responsibility. “You” is the pet owner vaccinating their dog, the student avoiding unnecessary antibiotics, or the citizen reporting a sick stray. “Me” highlights the duty of professionals such as veterinarians, doctors, researchers, public health workers whose daily choices influence the safety of entire populations. “Community” represents collective action at local, national, and global levels, from village councils to world organizations. Together, these three pillars form the foundation of the One Health approach.