What is the One Health Approach?

A two-day national conference and table-top simulation exercise on “One Health: Integrating Health Security and Biosecurity” began on 2 July 2026 in Chennai. The event was organised by the Deccan Centre for International Relations in collaboration with the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation and LEAD at IFMR/KREA University.

One Health Concept

One Health is an integrated approach that links human health, animal health, and environmental health. The framework is used in the study of zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and environmental surveillance.

National One Health Mission

The National One Health Mission is an Indian framework for coordinated action across health, veterinary, environment, and science sectors. It covers zoonotic disease control, antimicrobial resistance, biosecurity, and pandemic preparedness.

Conference Themes and Sessions

The conference included four thematic sessions on One Health: Biology, Technology and Future Innovations; Governance, Global Lessons and International Cooperation; One Health: Foundation of National Health and Biosecurity; and Biosecurity, Dual-Use Research, and Laboratory Networks. The programme also included a table-top simulation exercise for health security and biosecurity planning.

Important Facts for Exams

• One Health is a multidisciplinary framework that connects human, animal, and environmental health.
• Zoonotic diseases are infections that spread between animals and humans.
• Antimicrobial resistance is the ability of microbes to survive medicines that once killed them or stopped their growth.
• Biosecurity refers to measures that reduce the risk of harmful biological agents entering or spreading within a population.

Key Participants

Professor Dr. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, attended as Chief Guest. Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti and Dr. Soumya Swaminathan participated in the inaugural session.

Institutional Context

Deccan Centre for International Relations is a policy and research institution based in Chennai. The M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation is a Chennai-based research organisation associated with agricultural and development studies.