－ WHO and Other Organizations Issue a Joint News Release －
Our health does not depend on humans alone.
Human health, animal health, and environmental health are interconnected, and changes in climate and the natural environment also affect our health.
The concept of viewing the health of humans, animals, and the environment as a whole is known as “One Health.” On October 2, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), together with other organizations, issued a joint news release on health, environmental, and climate threats in the Pacific region and the role of One Health, as the impacts of the El Niño phenomenon increasingly become a reality.
The Connection Between Climate and Environmental Changes and Health
The joint news release by WHO and its partners highlights the complex interconnections among various health threats in the Pacific region.
Zoonotic diseases and vector-borne diseases, such as dengue, chikungunya, and leptospirosis, are occurring in several countries and territories across the Pacific region.
Environmental changes, changes in habitats, and shifts in weather patterns are among the factors associated with the emergence of these diseases.
Furthermore, the release points out that droughts and rising temperatures associated with the El Niño phenomenon are increasing the risks of diarrheal diseases and malnutrition.
In this way, changes in climate and the environment are not simply a matter of changing temperatures or rainfall patterns.
They are also closely linked to people’s health and livelihoods through their effects on infectious diseases, food security, and nutrition.
Therefore, when considering the impact on health, it is important to look beyond human health alone and also consider its connections with animals, the environment, and climate.
Advancing One Health Across the Pacific Region
The joint news release by WHO and its partners introduces efforts by countries and territories across the Pacific region to adopt the One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of humans, animals, plants, and the environment, in order to prevent, detect, and respond to health threats.
One example is the second Pacific One Health Workshop, held in Fiji in 2026. Government representatives and relevant organizations from across the Pacific region participated in the workshop to share experiences and lessons learned in human health, animal health, and environmental sectors.
The workshop addressed a wide range of issues related to advancing One Health, including infectious disease surveillance and risk assessment, pandemic preparedness, food safety, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), environmental interconnections, and climate-related health risks.
Participants also discussed challenges and the actions needed to strengthen future collaboration at national, regional, and international levels.
Considering Humans, Animals, and the Environment Together
The joint news release highlights the importance of addressing health challenges not from the perspective of a single sector, but by taking into account the interconnectedness of humans, animals, and the environment.
For example, when considering infectious diseases, it is necessary to look beyond infections in humans and also examine their relationships with animals, vectors, their habitats, and climate.
Similarly, when considering the health impacts of climate change, it is important to look beyond temperature and rainfall and take into account its effects on infectious diseases, food security, nutrition, and ecosystems.
Recognizing the connections between human, animal, and environmental health rather than treating them as separate issues is the essence of the One Health approach.
The situation in the Pacific region, where climate impacts associated with the El Niño phenomenon overlap with health challenges such as infectious diseases and food and nutrition insecurity, demonstrates that our health is not solely a human issue. Paying attention to the One Health approach being advanced around the world can also provide an opportunity to reflect on the health of the communities in which we live.
Soource
World Health Organization (WHO)
“As El Nino threats become reality, One Health unites Pacific countries across sectors to address health, environmental and climate threats”
October 2, 2026
