Innovating for One Health: federal perspectives and key lessons on building integrative programs for wildlife in Canada

At a national level, Canada has committed to advancing the One Health approach, recognizing the interconnection between human, animal, and environment health. One Health, however, has often focused on zoonotic diseases and their impacts on human health, limiting the scope and integration of wildlife and environment health. There is also a growing recognition of the need to develop collaborative strategies to address gaps in research, reflecting diverse expertise and priorities. To explore how One Health is perceived and can be mobilized at the federal level, we conducted a series of focus groups with staff at Environment and Climate Change Canada, discussing themes including novel and innovative program development, metrics of success, and limitations to program development and implementation. Supported by the literature, we describe the four key lessons that emerged for strengthening One Health programming: (1) adopt a settings-based approach to foster inclusivity and optimize the health of people, animals, and the environment; (2) establish a shared goal and / or mandate for a team can create a shared purpose and enhance impact; (3) identify champions and leaders who can drive innovation; and (4) bring in key experts, but maintain flexibility to ensure skills are aligned with program needs. While examples highlight innovative program development and implementation, focus group participants emphasized barriers to collaborative and integrative research on human, animal, and environment health extending beyond federal science and that require institutions to address systemic limitations on research innovation. Nonetheless, to promote optimal health outcomes, including those for wildlife and the environment, professionals can adopt integrative and interdisciplinary approaches and drive a movement from knowledge to action.