Which statement best describes One Welfare?

• A. A concept focusing only on animal welfare.
• B. A program to fund clinics.
• C. A concept recognizing the interconnections between animal welfare, human wellbeing, and the environment.
• D. A framework for export trade.

Answer: (C)

One Welfare is about how animal welfare, human wellbeing, and the environment are all linked in a single system. It recognizes that when animals are well cared for and healthy, people often benefit—through safer food, fewer zoonotic risks, and better mental and physical health—while a healthy environment supports both animal welfare and human communities. Conversely, neglecting animal welfare or harming the environment can negatively affect people as well. This holistic view guides actions across veterinary care, public health, and environmental stewardship so improvements in one area help the others as well. The other statements describe narrower ideas—focusing only on animals, or being just a funding program, or about trade—which don’t capture the interdependent relationships that One Welfare emphasizes.