Introduction

This report introduces the concept of One Health as a foundation for pandemic prevention and reducing the risk of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) with a focus on the interdependent nature of human, animal, and environmental health. The report presents an investment framework designed to mobilize finance for pandemic prevention.

Addressing pandemic risk at the source

The report lists the critical drivers of EIDs at the human, animal, and ecosystem interfaces, including food systems, land use, and urbanization. The proposed prevention strategy includes the adoption of One Health, which looks at the interconnectedness of public health, animal health, and the environment. It advocates for urgent action to avoid another pandemic’s escalation and stresses the need for investing in pandemic prevention at the source.

Guiding investments towards prevention of pandemics

The implementation of the One Health approach, tailored to specific risks and vulnerabilities, should be given priority in resource allocation. More systematic country-level risk assessments, such as the WHO Strategic Tool for Assessing Risks (STAR), are essential to managing the drivers of EIDs at the human, animal, and ecosystem interfaces. The report suggests the development of a core prevention strategy based on the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) international standards and the adoption of other elements of prevention, depending on countries’ risk profiles.

Overcoming the lack of incentives to invest in prevention

The report discusses multiple economic, health, and environmental crises caused by climate change, COVID-19, and other factors affecting every facet of people’s lives. Countries must increase financing of One Health measures to mitigate the risk of EIDs. The report notes a lack of incentives to invest in prevention, implying the need for an investment framework to facilitate more sustained attention and investments in critical interventions to bolster One Health and pandemic prevention.

Conclusion

The report recommends prompt action to implement the One Health approach to reduce the risk of EIDs. International financial institutions, ministries of finance, and economies hold the responsibility to provide the resources required to manage the ESG risks associated with this. The report suggests that nations comply with the minimum standards of capacity building set out in the universal health coverage index and countries should mobilize resources to support pandemic prevention investment.