Draft:One Welfare
Interdisciplinary concept linking animal welfare, human well-being, and the environment
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
One Welfare is an interdisciplinary concept that recognises the interconnections between animal welfare, human well-being, and the environment.[1][2] It promotes a holistic approach to global challenges by treating these domains as interconnected rather than separate.[2]
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The concept has been developed in the field of animal welfare science and is particularly associated with the work of veterinarian Rebeca García Pinillos, who has contributed to its definition and dissemination through academic and professional publications.[3][4]
History and development
The concept of One Welfare emerged in the early 2010s alongside increasing academic recognition of links between animal welfare, human well-being, and environmental sustainability.[2] Earlier discussions in the literature, including work by Colonius and Earley, called for broader frameworks connecting these domains.[2]
One Welfare gained wider recognition following the publication of the 2016 article One Welfare – a platform for improving human and animal welfare in Veterinary Record, which outlined the concept and its potential applications.[1]
Subsequent work, including García Pinillos's 2018 book One Welfare: A Framework to Improve Animal Welfare and Human Well-being, further developed the framework and explored its application across different sectors.[4]
Concept and principles
One Welfare is based on the principle that animal welfare, human well-being, and the physical and social environment are interdependent and cannot be effectively addressed in isolation.[1][2]
The concept highlights that improvements in animal welfare can affect human well-being and environmental sustainability, that social issues such as violence, poverty, and food insecurity may be linked to animal welfare conditions, and that environmental degradation can negatively affect both animals and human communities.[1][2]
The approach promotes transdisciplinary collaboration across fields including veterinary science, environmental science, public health, and the social sciences.[2]
One Welfare framework
The One Welfare framework provides a structured approach to applying the concept in policy, research, education, and professional practice.[5][4]
It identifies thematic links between welfare outcomes across sectors, including connections between animal abuse and human violence, the role of animal welfare in sustainable agriculture and food security, and relationships between biodiversity, environmental protection, and welfare.[1][2]
The framework has been described as a tool to support animal welfare standards and integrate welfare considerations into broader sustainability and development agendas.[5][6]
Relationship to One Health
One Welfare is closely related to the One Health approach, which focuses on the interconnections between human, animal, and environmental health.[5]
However, One Welfare extends beyond health to include broader considerations of welfare and well-being, including ethical, social, and environmental dimensions.[2][3] While One Health is often applied in areas such as infectious disease and public health, One Welfare places greater emphasis on quality of life, sustainability, and social outcomes.[2]
Applications and significance
The One Welfare approach has been applied in areas including animal welfare science and policy, sustainable agriculture and food systems, public and social policy, and environmental conservation.[2]
It has also been discussed as a framework for addressing complex global challenges such as climate change, food security, and emerging disease through integrated, interdisciplinary approaches.[6][2]
Rebeca García Pinillos
Rebeca García Pinillos is a Spanish veterinarian and animal welfare specialist associated with the development of the One Welfare concept.[3]
She studied veterinary medicine at the University of Zaragoza and later completed a PhD at the University of Reading.[7] She has worked in veterinary practice, research, and education, and has published on animal welfare, ethics, and sustainability.[3][4]
In 2018, she founded One Welfare CIC, a United Kingdom community interest company established to promote and implement the concept internationally.[7]