A system dynamics approach to understanding the One Health concept

PLoS One. 2017 Sep 6;12(9):e0184430. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184430. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

There have been many terms used to describe the One Health concept, including movement, strategy, framework, agenda, approach, among others. However, the inter-relationships of the disciplines engaged in the One Health concept have not been well described. To identify and better elucidate the internal feedback mechanisms of One Health, we employed a system dynamics approach. First, a systematic literature review was conducted via searches in PubMed, Web of Knowledge, and ProQuest with the search terms: 'One Health' and (concept* or approach*). In addition, we used the HistCite® tool to add significant articles on One Health to the library. Then, of the 2368 articles identified, 19 were selected for evaluating the inter-relationships of disciplines engaged in One Health. Herein, we report a visually rich, theoretical model regarding interactions of various disciplines and complex problem descriptors engaged in One Health problem solving. This report provides a conceptual framework for future descriptions of the interdisciplinary engagements involved in One Health.

MeSH terms

  • Global Health*
  • Health Behavior
  • Health Promotion / methods*
  • Humans
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Systems Theory*

Grants and funding

This study was supported by CSC Program (Scholarship Program supported by China Scholarship Council, a non-profit institution affiliated with China’s Ministry of Education, File No.201503170372). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.