One Health is an integrated, unifying approach to balance and optimize the health of people, animals and the environment. It is particularly important to predict, prevent, detect, and respond to global health threats. The One Health approach mobilizes multiple sectors, disciplines and communities at varying levels of society to work together.

The One Health approach is particularly relevant for food and water safety, nutrition, the control of zoonoses, pollution management, social relationships between humans and animals, and combating antimicrobial resistance. These issues are all responding to several of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (https://sdgs.un.org/goals). One Health is an emerging research field, aligned with Arctic Indigenous Peoples views of health, that has developed as a response to the need of transdisciplinary collaboration to be able to solve problems and challenges in a sustainable manner. Thus, the course is suited for students with a variety of backgrounds, such as life sciences, social sciences, health sciences and humanities.

Topics covered are divided into five modules which include: 

Module 1: Introduction and basics

Module 1 offers an interdisciplinary overview of the Arctic and Subarctic regions, focusing on ecosystem diversity, species interactions, and community demographics. It introduces the One Health framework as an integrative approach, addressing its social, ethical, and transdisciplinary dimensions. The module also discusses the impacts and challenges of climate change in the Arctic, including environmental and human health considerations. Overall, it provides insights into the complexities and interdependencies of health, environment, and society in northern regions.

Module 2: Social sciences in One Health

Module 2 delves into the role of social sciences within the One Health framework, elucidating how these disciplines are indispensable for understanding complex One Health issues. The module addresses knowledge production, citizen science, politics of nature, power relations, responsibilization and governance. It further explores the nuances of multi-, trans-, inter- and intradisciplinary collaborations in the One Health context. Finally, the module underscores the importance of stakeholder engagement and intra- and international relations, particularly among Arctic constituents, in advancing One Health initiatives.

Module 3: Aspects of One Health

Module 3 provides an in-depth exploration of the interrelated facets of One Health. Within Animal Health, the module elaborates on its significance, animal welfare and zoonoses, positioning it as a central concern in One Health. The Human Health section offers insights into social aspects of disease, mental health in Northern communities, and traditional food practices. The Environmental Health section explores the connections between One Health and climate change, biodiversity, human encroachment and contaminants. The module concludes with a focus on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) issues.

Module 4: Human-Animal Interactions in their shared environment

Module 4 explores the complex dynamics of Human-Animal Interactions within the Northern environments. It discusses strategies for prevention and control of diseases and explores the role of companion animals in human health. The module addresses antimicrobial resistance and assesses the risks associated with the redistribution of the range of non-native species and climate-driven “species-on-the-move” changes. Food safety and food security are contextualized as integral components of One Health. Lastly, the module offers historical and contemporary perspectives on zoonotic pandemics, as well as emerging and re-emerging diseases in the northern ecosystems.

Module 5: The future of One Health

Module 5 will cover how One Health and trans-disciplinarity may develop in the coming years.