One Health, One Fight: Tackling Antibiotic Resistance Across Humans, Animals, and the Environment

This article was exclusively written for European Sting by Ms. Cecilia Petio, a medical student from SISM Italy, currently enrolled at the Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna. She is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

Antibiotic resistance is no longer just a human health issue — it’s a crisis that spans medicine, agriculture, and the environment. The One Health approach, which recognizes the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health, offers the best strategy to tackle this growing threat.

Surveillance data highlight a worrying trend: resistant bacteria such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli persist in both humans and food-producing animals despite decades of interventions (EFSA & ECDC, 2024). Antibiotics used in livestock can select for resistant strains that reach humans through the food chain, while resistance genes escape into soil and water via waste, creating reservoirs for further spread (PubMed, 2018). Migratory birds, insects, and wildlife can carry resistant bacteria across continents, amplifying the challenge.

Key obstacles include overprescription in human medicine, widespread use in agriculture, and insufficient environmental controls. Surveillance systems often operate in silos, limiting our ability to monitor resistance across sectors. Policymaking struggles to keep pace with these interconnected dynamics (One Health Outlook, 2024).

Yet solutions exist. A robust One Health strategy emphasizes antimicrobial stewardship in humans and animals, improved infection prevention, rigorous cross-sector surveillance, and optimized waste management (EU Council Recommendation, 2024). Global collaboration, research into alternatives, and infrastructure improvements are essential.

For medical students and IFMSA members, the fight against AMR is not just scientific — it is ethical and global. Advocacy, education, and cross-disciplinary cooperation can drive systemic change. By promoting One Health principles in our communities and supporting international policies, we help ensure antibiotics remain effective for generations to come (WHO, 2024).

The battle against antibiotic resistance requires united action. One Health reminds us that the health of humans, animals, and the environment is inseparable. Through awareness, policy, and practice, we can transform a global threat into an opportunity for cooperation and resilience.

References

1. EFSA & ECDC. Joint report on antimicrobial resistance in humans and animals. 2024. Link
2. WHO. Action against antimicrobial resistance requires a One Health approach. 2024. Link
3. PubMed. One-health perspective on AMR in humans, animals, and environment. 2018. Link
4. One Health Outlook. Combating antibiotic resistance in a One Health context. 2024. Link
5. EUR-Lex. EU Council recommendation on AMR through a One Health approach. 2024. Link

About the author

Cecilia Petio is a medical student from SISM Italy, currently enrolled at the Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna. Passionate about global health, infectious diseases, and health policy, she is actively involved in student advocacy and international cooperation through the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA). Cecilia is particularly interested in the One Health approach and the challenges posed by antimicrobial resistance, with a commitment to promoting evidence-based public awareness and interdisciplinary collaboration. She hopes to contribute to a healthier, more equitable future through research, writing, and medical practice.