Research Domain One Health

The health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the broader environment is closely interconnected and interdependent. The One Health research domain at the University of Greifswald analyses the connections and interdependencies between human and animal health, as well as between ecosystems and other components of the environment. Researchers from all faculties collaborate, drawing on concepts, knowledge, and methods from their respective disciplines—such as epidemiology, molecular biology, microbiology, ecology, economics, virology, law, philosophy, and ethics, to address issues such as the control of zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance, as well as to investigate the effects of environmental pollution, climate change, and habitat changes on humans, animals, and ecosystems, and to examine environmental and health law requirements.

To this end, the University’s research domain cooperates closely with partners from the region, in particular the Helmholtz Institute for One Health (HIOH) and the Friedrich Loeffler Institute on Riems (FLI). The research focus aims to use the insights gained to support practical implementation on a broader scale and, in particular, the development of a “One Health Region” in Vorpommern. Interdisciplinary collaboration creates added value, as the complex interactions between human and animal health, ecosystems, the economy, politics, law, and civil society can only be analysed as an integrated whole.

A key area of the One Health focus is zoonosis research—that is the study of infectious diseases, including microbial resistance, that can be transmitted between animals and humans. To address health challenges posed by changing ecosystems, it is necessary to understand ecology, zoonoses, and their impacts on humans and animals, as well as the importance of the environment and the animal world for human health. In this context, collaboration with our non-university partners—particularly in the fields of veterinary medicine and agriculture—is of central importance.

Epidemiology examines the distribution of diseases and health-related factors in populations, as well as their causes and dynamics. Within the One Health framework, it views humans, animals, and the environment as interconnected systems and analyses transmission routes, risk factors, and the impacts of infectious agents, antimicrobial resistance, and environmental changes. At the University of Greifswald, epidemiological research approaches range from the study of zoonotic pathogens and antimicrobial resistance to the analysis of environmental and climatic influences on health, and the development of surveillance and early-warning systems for health risks. In this way, epidemiology provides an important foundation for evidence-based prevention and control measures to protect humans, animals, and the environment.

The spread of microorganisms that are resistant to many or all antibiotics leads to individual-level health impacts for humans and animals, including increased morbidity and mortality, as well as socioeconomic consequences resulting from the long-term effects of infectious diseases, increased costs for health and social care systems, and economic losses in the agricultural sector. For example, the factors contributing to the emergence and spread of resistance—such as to antibiotics—in the context of interactions between humans, livestock, wildlife, and the environment are not yet sufficiently understood. To develop and optimise effective strategies for containing antimicrobial resistance, it is necessary—in line with the One Health approach—to investigate human, animal, and environmental reservoirs in conjunction with microbiome, environmental, and biodiversity research within One Health projects.

Humans and animals live in natural or human-made environments that influence their health. For example, intensive livestock farming creates different conditions for the spread of diseases than pasture-based farming; urban agglomerations present different challenges to rural settlements. In this context, the environment is not only a setting where diseases arise but also a vital resource for human physical and mental health. Accordingly, the One Health approach can only be successful if it is multidisciplinary, incorporating ecology, climate science, wetland research, and nature conservation, as well as psychology, the social sciences, the humanities, and theology. Working together, these disciplines make important contributions to understanding and protecting the health of humans and animals, as well as preserving biodiversity in an environment that is as resilient as possible.

The One Health concept raises questions that no single discipline can answer on its own. What does it mean to describe a person, an animal, or an ecosystem as “healthy” or “sick”? What criteria do we use to make these decisions—and who makes them? When health goals conflict, how do we weigh them against one another?

Health and illness are not merely biological states. They are also the result of history and culture. How people interact with animals, plants, and their environment; the spaces they shape; and the values they share—all of this has evolved over centuries. The humanities help us understand how these influences arose, how they continue to shape health today, and explain variations across regions, societies, and eras. History and communication studies examine how different cultures understand health, convey this knowledge, and critically question it. In this way, they can also contribute to the development of strategies for implementing the One Health approach. Philosophy and theology raise ethical questions, such as the benefits of animal and environmental health for human health (anthropocentrism), or the intrinsic value of animals or ecosystems. Philosophy and theology provide guidance in these deliberations and are indispensable if One Health is to be taken seriously not only as a concept, but also as a societal responsibility.

In the One Health context, the field of law makes a fundamental contribution to linking the various sectors and stakeholders. The law can translate scientific findings into normative requirements, such as substantive emission limits and regulations governing hygiene and animal husbandry. Furthermore, it is capable of striking the most balanced compromise possible between these findings and the associated interests and other, potentially conflicting concerns. At the same time, the law enables proactive risk management, particularly in accordance with the precautionary principle. Furthermore, through regulations governing jurisdiction and organisation, it creates an institutional framework for cross-sectoral coordination among various One Health disciplines and players. Moreover, scientific findings can only be effectively enforced through legal instruments such as compliance requirements, inspections, and sanctions. Finally, the law also contributes to the legitimacy of government intervention, for example in the context of measures for pandemic prevention and containment.