The recent outbreaks of swine fever and avian influenza detected in Spain and in various parts of the world highlight the interdependence between human, animal and environmental health. This trend is set to accelerate the implementation of the One Health approach, which promotes a holistic view of human health, with food production and food safety systems as fundamental elements of health.
The recent incidents of mass bird deaths due to avian influenza in our country, as well as the outbreaks of swine fever, are having a significant impact on the food production sector. The massive loss of animals, the associated economic consequences and the reduction in the supply for human consumption place these animal diseases at the centre of prevention and public health response strategies from a One Health perspective.
In the face of this new reality, decision-making, epidemiological surveillance, research and the training of professionals must be approached in a coordinated manner across disciplines that have traditionally been separate. Thus, collaboration between medicine, veterinary science, environmental sciences and biotechnology will be key in 2026 for the development of a comprehensive and robust health system.
In this context, Alfonso X el Sabio University (UAX) has already incorporated the One Health approach as a fundamental pillar of its healthcare professionals’ training. Through academic content, specialised research groups and close links with the scientific, clinical and professional communities within the healthcare and agri-food sectors, the university prepares its students to work in complex, interdisciplinary environments where human health cannot be understood in isolation.
“Talking about One Health is no longer an option; it is a necessity. The health challenges we face require professionals capable of understanding health from a global perspective, integrating medical, veterinary and environmental knowledge, ” explains Aida Suárez, Director of One Health at the UAX Group and Dean of the Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences at UAX. “Our responsibility as a university is to train professionals who are equipped to collaborate and think ahead when responding to problems that know no borders or disciplinary boundaries.”
UAX is thus demonstrating its commitment to a model aligned with the present and future challenges of the healthcare system. Furthermore, the university has launched new lines of research, such as the One Health Veterinary Observatory, contributing to the advancement of knowledge and the transfer of real-world solutions to society as this approach to health is rolled out. “It is increasingly important to focus on food production and safety as a key component of health, which begins with the work of veterinary professionals responsible for preventing disease and caring for animal health, ” says Isabel Rodríguez, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at UAX. “Training veterinarians with a One Health perspective means equipping them with the tools to work in coordination with other healthcare professionals and to play an active role in preventing future crises.”
Furthermore, to integrate the environmental component of the One Health approach, UAX has this year incorporated specific content on Sustainable Health into all degree programmes in the field of Health. In this way, future UAX graduates will understand the impact of climate change on mental health, learn how to develop sustainable medicines, and even design healthy, environmentally friendly diets, amongst other applications. To reinforce its commitment to sustainability, UAX joined the European Network for Climate and Health Education (ENCHE) last academic year, an international network backed by the WHO to promote the development of knowledge in Sustainable Health.
Looking ahead to 2026, the consolidation of the One Health approach will shape the evolution of the healthcare system and the training of professionals. UAX has already begun to adapt its educational model to this new reality and to anticipate the global demand for healthcare talent in the coming years.
