Zoonotic and other infectious diseases impose significant economic costs worldwide, while antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could reduce global GDP by around 3.8% by 2050, according to World Bank estimates.

A new brief from the FAO Investment Centre, developed in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), examines the economic value of investing in One Health an approach that connects human, animal, plant and ecosystem health.

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The report highlights how coordinated investments can reduce disease burdens, healthcare costs, environmental contamination and AMR while improving preparedness for emerging health threats.

Baba Soumare, WOAH Deputy Director General, points to animal health as one of the most effective entry points for prevention, adding that “investing in One Health means investing in stronger veterinary services, better surveillance and greater collaboration across sectors to detect, prevent and respond to health threats at their source. These investments protect not only animals, but also people, economies and ecosystems.”

The brief also highlights the links between climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, food insecurity and other challenges. It calls for closer cooperation across public health, agriculture, veterinary and environmental sectors.

Dr Jeremy Farrar, Assistant Director-General, WHO, echoes this sentiment, confirming that as “Chair of the Quadripartite, WHO will work with partners to strengthen the evidence on the impact and return on investment of One Health interventions. This is essential to build a stronger scientific and economic case for One Health approach and turn political commitment into action.”

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The brief encourages governments, policymakers and financing institutions to develop sustainable investment plans and scale cost-effective One Health initiatives from local to global levels.

Thanawat Tiensin, FAO Assistant Director-General, Director of FAO’s Animal Production and Health pision and Chief Veterinarian, says that “today’s most pressing challenges – climate change, biopersity loss, pollution, food insecurity and socioeconomic vulnerabilities – are deeply interconnected,” adding that “they demand integrated approaches like One Health, which can improve prevention and mitigation.”