The European Union's One Health task force, composed of five EU agencies, launched a comprehensive framework for action from 2024 to 2026 to promote cross-sectoral collaboration in addressing health threats at the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health.
EU’s One Health Strategy to Address Complex Health Threats
In a unified response to growing health and environmental threats, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), European Environment Agency (EEA), European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and European Medicines Agency (EMA) have joined forces through the One Health Task Force. This cross-agency task force will focus on integrating scientific advice and collaborative efforts to address issues like zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and pollution under the One Health framework.
The newly released 2024–2026 action plan outlines five strategic objectives aimed at advancing coordinated responses to One Health challenges. These objectives underscore the need for robust interagency cooperation to improve data sharing, research coordination, stakeholder engagement, capacity building, and joint action on public health and environmental issues.
Strategic Objectives for a Unified Response
1. Strengthening Strategic Coordination
- The task force aims to unify its approach to One Health by fostering a transdisciplinary framework to address urgent and emerging health challenges. For instance, by harmonising risk assessment methods across sectors, agencies will create cohesive guidelines for managing zoonotic threats and AMR.
2. Enhancing Research Coordination
- As health threats increasingly stem from environmental and chemical interactions, the task force will coordinate One Health research to identify critical knowledge gaps and drive EU funding towards impactful studies. Collaborations will include the Horizon Europe framework, with a special focus on human-animal-environmental interdependencies.
3. Building Capacity Across Agencies
- Recognising that knowledge gaps hinder effective One Health implementation, the framework prioritises training programs and the creation of accessible learning modules. By 2026, all five agencies aim to roll out joint educational initiatives to strengthen One Health competencies for professionals in human health, veterinary, and environmental sectors.
4. Engaging Stakeholders
- Communication and outreach efforts are integral to the task force’s goals. EU agencies will establish consistent dialogues with stakeholders, including industry leaders, policymakers, and the public, to foster transparency and engagement in One Health initiatives. This will help amplify the impact of policies addressing cross-sectoral health threats.
5. Expanding Partnerships and Joint Activities
- Aiming to pool resources and expertise, the task force will develop cross-agency projects and propose joint funding mechanisms. These partnerships are expected to facilitate cohesive responses to public health emergencies and foster resilience in addressing climate-related health impacts.
Looking Forward
The EU’s One Health Task Force's proactive approach reflects a commitment to pre-emptively address interconnected health risks. With the support of the European Commission, these strategic actions are set to build a resilient public health framework that reduces future health threats while promoting sustainable development across Europe.
