One health approach to chagas disease: a systematic review on the integration of human, animal, and environmental health

Introduction Chagas disease ranks among the most important Neglected Tropical Diseases in the Americas. Given its epidemiological, social, and ecological complexity, the One Health approach has been increasingly recognized as a strategic framework for its integrated management. The aim of this research is to investigate how the One Health approach has been applied in Chagas disease studies. Methods This study consists of a systematic review (2008–2024), with searches conducted in the Web of Science®, PubMed®, Scopus®, and Dimensions® databases, using descriptors combined with Boolean operators. The analysis included (i) scientometric methods supported by VOSviewer® software, (ii) systematization of the collected data in structured spreadsheets, and (iii) graphical visualization through a chord diagram (Flourish®). Results The most prominent researchers were Ricardo Castillo-Neyra and Michael Levy. A strong contribution from the Americas was observed in studies addressing Chagas disease and the One Health approach. Of the 227 documents retrieved, 68 met the inclusion criteria. A predominance of studies focused on animal health (41.2%) was identified. Only 11.8% of the studies integrated the three core components of One Health (human, animal, and environmental). Although topics such as surveillance, vectors, and public health are highlighted, the data reveal that actions largely remain sectoral and fragmented. Conclusions This systematic review highlights that although progress has been made in applying the One Health perspective to Chagas disease, it is still necessary to strengthen the effective integration among the three components of the approach. Systematic Review Registration doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/5HVA8