The economic impact of zoonotic and infectious diseases runs into billions of US dollars annually. The World Bank estimates that antimicrobial resistance could lead to a loss of about 3.8% of global GDP by 2050. To address these health threats and potential economic fallout, countries must invest in enhanced preparedness and prevention strategies.
A recent brief from the FAO Investment Centre, in collaboration with the WHO and WOAH, emphasizes the long-term benefits of investing in the One Health approach. This integrated methodology acknowledges the interconnections among human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health. The report, titled Financial and economic returns to investing in One Health: evidence and future directions, highlights how this approach can mitigate disease burdens, reduce healthcare costs, and curb environmental contamination and antimicrobial resistance.
By fostering collaboration across various sectors, One Health aims to maximize the effectiveness of investments, minimize unintended consequences, and bolster long-term resilience. The brief is targeted toward decision-makers, One Health practitioners, and financial institutions, outlining barriers and potential opportunities for investment in One Health initiatives.
It also details the institutional and financial mechanisms necessary to implement sustainable interventions at all levels, from local communities to the global stage.
Thanawat Tiensin, FAO Assistant Director-General, stated that today’s significant challenges—such as climate change and food insecurity—are interconnected, necessitating holistic approaches like One Health for effective prevention and mitigation.
Baba Soumare, WOAH Deputy Director General, emphasized that investing in One Health enhances veterinary services, surveillance, and cross-sector collaboration to address health threats at their source. He indicated that these investments safeguard not only animals but also people, economies, and ecosystems.
Reinforced by the WOAH’s 2026 State of the World’s Animal Health report, the need for investment in animal health is critical. The report notes that elevating veterinary services to international standards requires approximately $2.3 billion annually—less than 0.05% of the economic losses from COVID-19 in just one year—making it a cost-effective strategy for protecting food security and global health.
Investing in animal health, food systems, environmental protection, and public health can create synergies that yield greater impact than isolated efforts. Mohamed Manssouri, FAO Assistant Director-General, highlighted that although the global benefits of investing in One Health are recognized, actual investment remains limited. He stressed the necessity for more quantitative evidence and governmental support to translate One Health priorities into actionable investment plans.
Dr. Jeremy Farrar of WHO echoed this sentiment, advocating for strengthened collective efforts to demonstrate the impact and return on investment of One Health initiatives, which is crucial for transforming political commitments into tangible actions.
This brief contributes to the FAO Investment Centre’s ongoing work on One Health, which includes significant studies conducted with the World Bank in Asia and the Pacific on investments in livestock and wildlife health.
For more evidence and case studies, explore the brief here.
