Global Health and the One Health Approach: Key Drivers for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent a global commitment to address critical health, environmental, and social challenges by 2030. Achieving these goals requires a multifaceted approach, leveraging the synergy between global health strategies, the One Health approach, and the essential functions of public health. This lecture will examine how integrating global health perspectives with the One Health framework—emphasizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health—can accelerate progress toward the SDGs.
We will delve into the essential functions of public health, such as monitoring health status, diagnosing and investigating health problems, developing policies to support community health, and ensuring access to care. These functions are crucial in addressing global health challenges like emerging infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and climate change. The presentation will also highlight how public health functions, when applied through a One Health lens, foster cross-sectoral collaboration and comprehensive solutions that enhance health equity and reduce disparities.
Drawing on case studies and examples of successful policies and interventions, we will illustrate how public health’s core functions can be harmonized with global health and One Health strategies to promote sustainable development. By embracing this integrated approach, public health professionals and stakeholders can play a vital role in building resilient systems, promoting sustainable practices, and achieving health for all. This lecture aims to inspire and equip participants with the knowledge to drive meaningful change at local, national, and global levels.
Prof. Wagida A. Anwar, M.B.B.Ch, M.Sc., M.D. is a Professor of Public Health at the Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, and a Professor at the Biomedical Research Department, Armed Forces College of Medicine (AFCM). She is the President of the Egyptian Environmental Mutagen Society, the Pan African Environmental Mutagen Genomics Society (PAEMGS), the Specialized Federation of Scientific Research NGOs, and the Specialized Federation of Health System Improvement NGOs.
Internationally, she is a member of several committees and associations, including the Health Literacy Working Group of the WHO Global Coordination Mechanism for the Prevention and Control of NCDs (GCM/NCD), the Jury of the UNESCO International Prize for Research in Life Sciences, a Marie Curie Fellow, a Collegium Ramazzini Fellow in Carpi, Italy, and the President of the Pan African Environmental Mutagen Society.
Nationally, she is a member of several boards and committees, such as the National Committee of Toxicology, the National Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, the National Council for Environment Research, and the Health and Population Committee of the National Women Council.
She has actively participated in numerous research projects, has more than 100 international and national publications, and has received several international prizes and awards.
