Linking Satellite Data to the "One Health" Approach

The "One Health" approach supports transdisciplinary collaborations that lead scientists and community practitioners to identify risk factors and develop innovative interventions, which link human, animal, and environmental health. With the potential to strengthen communication among stakeholders, reinforce disease surveillance, and enhance public awareness through educational outreach programs, this holistic view can promote the use of satellite data to address the global burden of environmental risk factors. For example, the World Health Organization estimated that 12.6 million deaths in 2012, or 1 in 4 deaths, were associated to residing or working in unhealthy environments. NASA Earth observing satellites collect data (e.g., aerosol optical depth from which fine particulate matter can be inferred) that can be used to assess air quality standards and interpret ecological relationships, which can subsequently facilitate the development of essential health interventions. In this paper, we aim to describe the value of satellite data and their environmental health applications. We highlight two examples that demonstrate how satellite data can form part of the "One Health" toolkit for Earth and health scientists and stakeholders. By strengthening these "One Health" scientific collaborations and communication, we can identify future steps where Earth observation analyses can enhance public health surveillance and protection.