Addressing Inequalities Toward Inclusive Governance for Achieving One Health: A Rapid Review

Abstract

Sustainable development goals (SDGs) adopted in 2015 are geared toward sustainable development through various pathways, one being reducing inequality as covered in SDG 10. Inequalities are a threat to health and wellbeing of populations and a planet Earth in which we live. This rapid review aims to identify key issues that are likely to exacerbate inequalities around the six SDGs directly related to One Health, which are SDG 3, 6, 11, 13, 14 and 15, and suggest some actions that may help to address them using inclusive governance taking into account the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Informed by the literature on SDGs and using the “inclusive development concept” by Gupta and Vegelin, literature search was done in Google Scholar, PubMed Central, as well as, searching of references in the relevant articles identified using search terms from the six SDGs that are directly related to One Health. In the context of the SDGs, in order to achieve One Health through inclusive governance, and tackle inequalities, the following needs to be considered and addressed: increasing number of armed conflicts; ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; ensuring availability of water and sanitation facilities; improving city and urban areas planning to cope with climate change; improving governance arrangements for addressing climate change factoring gender and human rights; multisectoral planning for conservation of oceans, seas, and marine resources; balancing trade regulation of wildlife trade with conservation efforts; need for a research collaborative involving experts from environmental sciences, wildlife, agriculture and human health to study and develop scientific evidence on contribution of changes in land use practices to occurrence of zoonotic diseases; and need of a legislation for promoting animal welfare to protect public health. Also, inclusion of people with disabilities in the use of digital technologies is critical.

Global Mapping and Visualization Analysis of One Health Knowledge in the COVID-19 Context

“… 107 As well as addressing the disproportionate effect of pandemics on disadvantaged groups and highlighting structural injustices to be addressed, social sciences offer light on health inequalities and vulnerable populations. 108 - 110 The study of governance and policy frameworks by the social sciences also aids in efficient coordination and fact-based decision-making in pandemic response. 91 Another significant area where social sciences offer insights into community dynamics and enable the creation of culturally sensitive interventions is in engaging communities and increasing participation.…”

“… 113 Their integration into the One Health concept results in a comprehensive knowledge of the connection between the environment, human health, and the formation of pandemics, leading to more successful disease prevention and control efforts. 23 , 110 These sciences help in understanding the environmental elements that influence the onset and spread of diseases, such as the destruction of natural habitats, climate change, and biodiversity loss, which collectively disrupt ecological balances. 105 They support risk reduction strategies, identify potential infection sources, and advance zoonotic disease research.…”

Governance in mental healthcare policies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico

“…Secondly, through this article we realize that new, more inclusive ( 35 ) and reflexive ( 36 ) governance models are necessary to face the complexity of contemporary Global Health challenges. On the one hand, inequalities affect the health and wellbeing of populations at global, regional, and national levels.…”

“…On the one hand, inequalities affect the health and wellbeing of populations at global, regional, and national levels. An inclusive approach to governance in Global Health is a potential way to include all key actors and thus reduce inequalities ( 33 , 35 ).…”

Exploring the Global Research Trends of Cities and Climate Change Based on a Bibliometric Analysis

“…Bulkeley et al [54,55] and Broto et al [56] studied the relationship between urban political ecology and climate governance systematically. In recent years, collaborative urban climate governance, data governance, urban climate adaptation practices, inclusive governance, and innovation in the context of sustainable development have attracted much attention [57][58][59][60]. In the past 20 years, some areas of developed countries, such as New York [61], London [62], and Toronto [63], have successively carried out urban adaptation to climate change.…”