One Health, COVID-19, and a Right to Health for Human and Nonhuman Animals

Laurie Sellars; Kimberly Bernotas; Jeff Sebo

One Health, COVID-19, and a Right to Health for Human and Nonhuman Animals

Health Hum Rights. 2021 Dec;23(2):35-47.

Authors

Laurie Sellars¹, Kimberly Bernotas², Jeff Sebo³

Affiliations

¹ Animal studies MA student at New York University, USA.
² Foster care manager of Bideawee, an animal welfare and pet adoption organization in New York, USA.
³ Clinical associate professor of environmental studies, affiliated professor of bioethics, medical ethics, and philosophy, and director of the Animal Studies MA Program at New York University, USA.

PMID: 34966223
PMCID: PMC8694287

Abstract

COVID-19 is a reminder that human, nonhuman, and environmental health are linked, and so efforts to improve human, nonhuman, and environmental health should be linked as well. But current efforts to link these issues fall short by not doing enough for humans, not doing enough for nonhumans, and focusing narrowly on health instead of expansively on health, welfare, and rights. This paper surveys the case for respecting and promoting human and nonhuman welfare, health, and rights simultaneously. It then surveys the impacts of COVID-19 on human and nonhuman populations and proposes steps that humans can take to respect and promote human and nonhuman health, welfare, and rights ethically and effectively in this context.

MeSH terms

Animals
COVID-19*
Human Rights
Humans
One Health*
Right to Health*
SARS-CoV-2