Global health ‘shift’ call to UN from top Welsh academic

Wales’ top veterinary academic will call for a ‘paradigm shift’ in the face of global threats to animal and human health in an address at the UN today.  

Speaking at a scientific summit of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Professor Darrell Abernethy, Head of Wales’ School of Veterinary Science at Aberystwyth University, will say that far more needs to be done to ensure that ‘One Health’ thinking becomes ingrained.

‘One Health’ is aimed at optimising the health of people, animals and the environment, by recognising their inter-dependence and the need to have an integrated approach when solving these pressing issues.

Given challenges, like the possible spread of COVID-19 or avian influenza between animals and humans, One Health aims to bring different disciplines together to foster wellbeing and tackle threats.

In 2022, the ‘One Health Joint Plan of Action’ was published by the World Health Organisation, World Organisation for Animal Health, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and United Nations Environment Programme. This ambitious plan seeks to address global challenges through a holistic, integrated approach, but Professor Abernethy believes current structures and approaches work against such laudable goals.

He will be addressing the Science Summit for the UN Sustainable Development Goals, a prestigious event that gathers leading scientists, policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators from around the world to discuss and address global scientific challenges and opportunities.

In his speech, the Aberystwyth-based veterinary expert will discuss barriers to progressing the One Health approach from within veterinary and medical education as well as in public policy and research.

Professor Abernethy from Aberystwyth University said:

“One Health needs to become the new norm and we need a paradigm shift in our ways of working to achieve that. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, the veterinary sector had much to offer but was largely ignored, despite huge experience in mass vaccination, disease diagnosis or population medicine. Similarly, conservation of endangered species is often seen as the preserve of ecologists and zoologists, but it has become increasingly clear that educationalists, behavioural scientists and economists are just as essential. Addressing the pressing challenges of our planet requires a breaking down of the traditional approach of government departments and educators, who unwittingly reinforce ‘we work alone’ silos, and an explicit commitment to multidisciplinary, collaborative working.

“It’s an honour to address this summit where the role and contribution of science to attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is the central theme. It is international scientific collaboration and engagement like this that is needed if we are to address the pressing problems facing our planet.”