On November 3, 2025, U.S. states and institutions marked One Health Day, a campaign dedicated to raising awareness of the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. The observance highlights how the health of one directly affects the health of others, underscoring the importance of a holistic, integrated approach to public health. In New Jersey, the governor issued a formal proclamation to recognize the day, adding to the growing movement toward inter-disciplinary health strategies.
One Health Day comes at a time of heightened awareness about how various environmental and social factors intersect to impact health outcomes. Issues like zoonotic diseases — those that can be transmitted between animals and humans — climate change, environmental degradation, and agricultural practices have drawn attention as critical contributors to the spread of illnesses and the deterioration of both human and environmental health. The COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, underscored the risks associated with such interconnected vulnerabilities, further fueling the call for comprehensive health models.
While many states observed One Health Day with smaller, localized events and educational campaigns rather than large-scale public initiatives, experts argue that the day’s growing visibility could lead to important shifts in policy, research funding, and inter-agency cooperation. Public health and environmental agencies are increasingly recognizing that challenges like emerging infectious diseases, air and water pollution, and the effects of deforestation cannot be solved in isolation. Addressing these challenges requires collaborative efforts across disciplines, including medicine, veterinary science, and environmental studies.
This year’s One Health Day observance also aligns with broader health-awareness initiatives in November, such as those focused on diabetes education and skin health. By linking One Health to other key health themes, organizers hope to foster a more holistic understanding of health that acknowledges the role the environment plays in disease prevention and wellness. For example, improving air quality and reducing chemical exposures in food and water have direct implications for human health, while animal health and biodiversity are also intertwined with sustainable farming practices.
Public-health officials and environmental advocates hope that by continuing to highlight the importance of One Health, there will be more focus on policies that support sustainable agriculture, wildlife protection, and efforts to combat climate change. Additionally, experts believe that boosting public awareness about the interdependence of all living systems could encourage individuals and communities to adopt healthier, more environmentally conscious lifestyles.
As the One Health movement gains momentum, its advocates are pushing for stronger, more coordinated actions at the local, state, and national levels. While the awareness days may begin modestly, the continued emphasis on the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health holds the potential to shape future health strategies, inspire more research, and lead to more sustainable practices in agriculture, urban planning, and healthcare systems.
The observance of One Health Day marks just one step in what experts hope will be a larger societal shift toward recognizing and addressing the deep connections between the health of our bodies, the animals with whom we share the planet, and the ecosystems that sustain us all.
