Is our siloed approach to health surveillance creating the perfect conditions for the next pandemic?
Recent outbreaks—from avian influenza to E. coli contamination in leafy greens—highlight the urgent need for integrated disease surveillance systems. Yet, many public health surveillance systems still operate in isolation, creating dangerous blind spots in our ability to detect and respond to zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and environmental contamination.
“The “One Health” concept—endorsed by the CDC, WHO, and other global health leaders—recognizes that diseases often arise at the intersection of these domains. But a One Health approach isn’t just a public health imperative; it’s an economic safeguard.
The Challenge: Fragmented and Incomplete Surveillance
Despite clear advances in understanding how diseases spread, the systems used to monitor them remain siloed and inconsistent. Human health, veterinary, and environmental data are often stored in separate systems, analyzed independently, and reported through different channels. This fragmentation leads to delays in identifying outbreaks, coordinating response efforts, and understanding how risks propagate across sectors.
For example, in areas where veterinary data is disconnected from public health systems, zoonotic diseases like rabies or avian influenza may go undetected until they reach human populations. In rural or resource-limited regions, diagnostic infrastructure may be sparse, leading to underreporting and misclassification of critical health events. These delays and inaccuracies increase the cost of response—both in terms of lives and dollars.
Compounding the issue, many public health departments lack tools for real-time monitoring and cross-agency collaboration. Outdated technologies limit the ability to securely share information, which is especially problematic during fast-moving events like disease outbreaks or environmental contamination. And in many cases, insufficient funding and workforce shortages prevent health agencies from building more robust, integrated systems.
A Smarter Solution: The One Health Approach
A One Health surveillance system would address these gaps by enabling real-time data sharing and analysis across human, animal, and environmental health sectors. When designed and implemented effectively, such systems allow public health officials to identify emerging risks earlier and act more decisively.
Consider the economic impact of a livestock-based zoonotic disease. In a fragmented system, detection may be delayed, leading to widespread transmission, trade restrictions, and loss of consumer confidence. In an integrated One Health system, early detection and rapid containment can limit the impact to a single farm or region—protecting both public health and agricultural markets.
Similarly, integrated environmental monitoring can help identify potential contamination events before they escalate. The 2018 E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce, for example, could have been mitigated with better visibility into water quality, land use changes, and agricultural practices in the affected growing region.
High-Stakes Examples Where One Health Makes a Difference
The potential benefits of a One Health approach are extensive:
- Emerging Infectious Diseases: The Council on Foreign Relations reports that up to 75% of new or emerging infectious diseases in humans are zoonotic in origin. Early identification of diseases like avian flu or hantavirus in animal populations enables faster containment and prevents human transmission.
- Foodborne Illnesses: The CDC estimates that, each year, 48 million Americans contract foodborne illnesses, leading to more than 120,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. Connecting food safety, environmental, and public health data can pinpoint sources of contamination faster, reducing the scale of recalls and outbreaks.
- Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): In 2019, AMR contributed to nearly 5 million deaths globally according to the World Health Organization. Integrated systems that track antibiotic use in both humans and livestock help inform evidence-based policy, treatment protocols, and stewardship efforts.
- Climate-Related Disease Spread: Researchers are finding Climate change is amplifying the spread of vector-borne diseases like West Nile virus and malaria. Land use changes, extreme weather events, and shifting animal migration patterns all influence disease vectors—and require coordinated, cross-sector surveillance to manage risk.
- Pesticide Exposure: Agricultural pesticide use has been linked to long-term health issues including cancers and neurological disorders. Cross-referencing environmental exposure data with public health outcomes can lead to smarter regulation and improved health outcomes.
- Cross-Jurisdictional Risks: Migratory animals and air or water systems don’t recognize jurisdictional boundaries. For smaller health departments—especially those serving populations under 25,000—regional collaboration through a shared One Health platform could help overcome resource constraints and ensures no community is left isolated.
Building an Effective One Health Surveillance System
To realize the full potential of a One Health framework, surveillance systems must integrate three core data streams:
- Human Health Surveillance – Includes hospital infection tracking, syndromic surveillance, and molecular diagnostics that detect pathogens early and inform clinical decisions.
- Animal Health Monitoring – Tracks livestock and wildlife disease trends, monitors AMR in veterinary contexts, and identifies zoonotic threats before they reach human populations.
- Environmental Health Data – Captures water quality metrics, vector populations, and land-use changes, providing early indicators of disease hotspots or contamination risks.
Advanced technologies—like artificial intelligence, genomic sequencing, and remote sensing—can enhance forecasting capabilities, allowing for earlier intervention and smarter resource allocation. However, technology alone isn’t enough. Effective systems also require interagency collaboration, clear governance models, and trained personnel who understand how to interpret and act on integrated data.
Policy and Practice Recommendations
To scale and sustain One Health surveillance, state and local governments, health organizations, and policymakers should consider the following actions:
- Enhance Data Integration: Build interoperable digital platforms that enable seamless, secure, real-time sharing across human, animal, and environmental health domains.
- Increase Funding: Invest in infrastructure, modern diagnostic tools, and workforce training to ensure surveillance systems are robust and equitable across urban and rural areas.
Strengthen Collaboration: Establish permanent interagency task forces and formalize processes for data sharing and joint response efforts. - Leverage Emerging Technologies: Apply AI, predictive analytics, and genomic tools to improve outbreak forecasting and trend analysis.
- Engage Communities: Foster community-level participation in disease monitoring and prevention efforts to ensure timely reporting and local ownership of public health outcomes.
The COVID-19 pandemic reminded the world just how high the stakes are when surveillance systems fall short. As global travel, climate change, and land use patterns continue to shift, disease risks are evolving faster than many systems can keep up.
A One Health surveillance approach offers a path forward—one that recognizes the interconnectedness of our ecosystems and leverages data to prevent small problems from becoming global crises. Investing in these systems is not just smart public health policy; it’s a strategic economic decision that builds resilience, protects lives, and ensures that our response to the next outbreak is faster, smarter, and more effective.
About Heidi Steinecker, DrPH
Heidi Steinecker, DrPH, is the health and human services practice lead at Resultant. She has more than 20 years of leadership in healthcare delivery and public health policy. Heidi provided valuable leadership in California’s COVID-19 response and has worked globally to strengthen healthcare systems. She recently completed her Doctorate of Public Health with a focus on global health security at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
