To raise public awareness of health issues, the World Health Organization (WHO) designates April 7 each year as “World Health Day”, and this year (2026) the theme is “Together for health. Stand with science”, emphasizing the “One Health” concept, calling on governments, scientists, health personnel, partners and the public to rebuild trust in science and public health, and together through scientific cooperation, protect the health of humans, animals, plants and the environment.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare (hereafter referred to as the Ministry) said that to promote the cross‑sectoral integrated One Health policy, this year the government, led by the Executive Yuan, integrated resources from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of the Interior, launching the “National One Health Joint Action Plan (2026–2030)”, which aligns perfectly with this year's World Health Day theme.
The Ministry explained that with globalization and climate change, the risk of emerging infectious diseases and zoonoses continues to rise, and food safety, antibiotic resistance, and environmental and ecosystem changes also persistently affect human and animal health; therefore integrated strategies are needed to address cross‑sectoral threats. At the request of the Executive Yuan, the relevant ministries in 2025 formed five inter‑agency working groups to study future response measures for five action pathways: emerging and re‑emerging zoonoses, region‑specific zoonoses and vector‑borne diseases, food safety risks, antibiotic resistance, and environmental integration. Coordinated through the Executive Yuan’s National One Health Policy Conference, they jointly completed the action plan, allocating a budget of NT$10.389248 billion to promote integrated monitoring, talent cultivation, social participation, educational advocacy, and technological innovation. In March of this year, a cross‑pathway sharing session on information system applications was held to accelerate policy implementation; in the second half of the year, exercises and other activities are planned to continuously promote cross‑domain cooperation through practical exchanges.
The Ministry emphasized that infectious diseases know no borders, and human health is closely linked to the health of animals, plants and the environment. From emerging zoonotic diseases and climate change to the global health threat of antimicrobial resistance, action must be based on the One Health concept, using scientific evidence as a common language across disciplines, establishing institutionalized prevention, detection and response mechanisms, so that integrated concrete actions can protect public health and ensure ecological sustainability.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
Compiled by: Surveillance Office
