Project Proposal: Operationalizing One Health in the Arctic.

Abstract

"Objective of Project: Operationalize a One Health approach in the Arctic to forge co-equal, all inclusive collaborations across multiple scientific disciplines and Arctic communities in order to enhance resiliency of the Arctic inhabitants through an enhanced understanding of climatic change impacts on health risks to people, animals, and the environment. Rationale: One Health is an approach to assess health issues at the interface between humans, animals, and ecosystems. It is a valuable strategy for the Arctic, where there is a great need to understand the complex nature of climatic change on the health of all of the Arctic. The One Health approach assesses the potential health effects at the human-animal-ecosystem interface and can greatly enhance scientific understanding of the threats to Arctic communities and ecosystems. It will contribute to the development of new tools for effective policies focused on reducing the burden of health threats and enhancing community resiliency. These include tools and methods for assessing vulnerability, screening and evaluation strategies, programs for climate risks assessments, identifying adaptation options, and weighing the costs and benefits of those options. Through a Regionalized One Health approach assessing health risks at the human-animal- ecosystem interface will significantly contribute to understanding the complex nature of climate change on health of all Arctic inhabitants." /.../