In recent years, the growing interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health has led to a fundamental paradigm shift in public health and the training of health professionals. It is within this context that the One Health approach has emerged and gained strength, promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO), the FAO, the OIE, and other international institutions, as an integrated response to global health challenges.
One Health is a strategy that recognizes the inextricable link between the health of people, animals, and the environment. The rise in diseases transmitted from animals to humans, the emergence of new infectious threats, antimicrobial resistance, climate change, and biodiversity loss have highlighted the urgent need for shared, cross-sectoral health policies.
The One Health approach aims to:
- foster collaboration among physicians, veterinarians, biologists, nurses, environmental scientists, and public health professionals;
- integrate data and knowledge to prevent, detect, and respond promptly to complex health threats;
- promote sustainable policies that protect ecosystems and improve the health of both human and animal communities.
In line with these goals, the Healthcare Master’s programs at the University of Parma promote multidisciplinary training based on an integrated public health model, aware of the interrelationships between health, environment, and society.
Adopting the One Health model means not only responding to current crises but also building a culture of prevention, sustainability, and global solidarity. For future health professionals, being trained with this vision is a strategic choice as well as an ethical responsibility. In a world where everything is connected, caring for health means caring for the world we live in.