All Hazards, One Health, One Nature Framework
Co-Authors: Allison A. Sakara, NP, MSN, RN, PHRN, and Maurice A. Ramirez, DO, PhD
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” – Albert Einstein
“New frameworks are like climbing a mountain, the larger view encompasses rather than rejects the more restricted view.” – Albert Einstein
Understanding and safeguarding the interconnectedness of our incredibly diverse planetary ecosystem is the foundation for the All Hazards, One Health, One Nature (AHOHN) Framework. From this unifying structure, goal-oriented and data-driven plans of action can be developed consistently and predictably, regardless of the nature of the hazard. The AHOHN Framework provides a shared template to meet the challenges of all hazards for the benefit of the entire One Nature, which includes the following outcomes:
- Address all threats, from local to global
- Strengthen health security
- Mitigate health disparities
- Emphasize preventive health measures, animal welfare, and environmental protection
- Promote coordination across all stakeholders
- Develop and implement effective policies
- Ensure the health and well-being of all living things
The phrase “All Hazards, One Health, One Nature” is a call to acknowledge and appreciate the interdependence of all creatures and habitats. By protecting and preserving the animals and plants that surround us, we are protecting and preserving ourselves. The concept of AHOHN emphasizes the need to address the challenges of health, nature, and medicine in an integrated, wholistic manner. To that end, the AHOHN Framework combines the four concepts critical to global health security into one approach. This article aims to define each of these constructs – All Hazards, One Health, One Nature, and One Framework.
“All Hazards” is a term used to describe a broad range of potential threats or dangers that could have a significant disruptive impact. Such hazards include natural disasters, disease, accidents, terrorist attacks, and cyber threats. All Hazards emphasizes the need for comprehensive risk management and preparedness planning. Regardless of the underlying cause, the All Hazards paradigm advocates for a unified response to any disaster or emergency. The methods, practices, procedures, and protocols that create a pathway for action are the same. The “All Hazards” is a reminder that every hazardous situation – from floods, to droughts, to wildfires, to hurricanes, to terrorism, to disease, to crime – interrupts the normal. This results in immediate needs exceeding available resources.
“One Health” refers to an interdisciplinary approach to healthcare that focuses on the relationship that exists and connects all living things. This model aims to address the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health to promote well-being for all. What impacts the health of one species will impact many species, positively or negatively, magnifying the consequences of practices and policies. Sometimes referred to as “One Medicine,” this concept also emphasizes the importance of understanding the links between humans, animals, and their environment to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease effectively.
“One Nature” is the idea that all living things are interconnected, part of a unified system, and that humans are an integral part of this ecosystem. The importance of understanding and protecting the environment is an essential component. To create a healthier world, we need to recognize the interconnectedness of all life on Earth and address any threat to that life. The One Nature approach acknowledges that the health of humans, animals, and the environment are inextricably linked and that the health of humans and animals depend upon the health of their shared environment. One Nature is based on the understanding that threats to human health, the health of animals, and the health of the environment need to be addressed through collaborative, interdisciplinary means. This model also appreciates that actions taken to improve the well-being of one link positively impacts the others. Humans, animals, and the environment must be considered together as One Nature to achieve optimal health outcomes.
“One Framework” represents a wholistic approach in which all components are considered in a single, integrated system to achieve the best possible outcomes. This model is designed to help identify, measure, and manage the impacts of a broad range of causes and effects. Guidance provided by One Framework includes all aspects of preparedness – reducing risks, decreasing exposure to hazards, preparing for disasters, and planning for contingencies. This structure also guides mitigation of impact, response to rapidly changing conditions, provision for evolving needs, and recovery in the aftermath of adversity. The “One Framework” model recognizes that all hazards require collaborative and coordinated efforts by responders, survivors, and bystanders, as well as policymakers, conservationists, and other stakeholders.
The AHOHN Framework, then, is the comprehensive approach born of the above four concepts centered around the interconnected health and security of animals, plants, people, and habitats. As a result, the impact of any hazard – or any hazard mitigation – is recognized as having an impact on the whole of nature. Understanding these elements of the AHOHN Framework sets the stage for developing strategies to protect health and to meet the needs not just of ourselves but of all living things. And in the articles to follow in this series, we will explore real-world applications of the AHOHN Framework.
About the Authors:
Allison A. Sakara, NP, MSN, RN, PHRN, is a nurse practitioner with decades of experience in pediatrics, hematology/oncology, regulatory affairs, and disaster response. Allison is the Co-Founder & Executive Director of the High Alert Institute.
Maurice A. Ramirez, DO, PhD is a physician and innovator with over a quarter century of service in emergency medicine, consulting, computing, regulatory affairs, and disaster response. Dr. Ramirez is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in Disaster Medicine and Co-Founder of the High Alert Institute.
The High Alert Institute is a 501c3 not-for-profit educational public charity dedicated to providing disaster readiness education and resources to unserved and underserved communities, industries, and charitable organizations in an All Hazards, One Health, One Nature Framework. Learn more about the High Alert Institute at www.HighAlertInstitute.org
Griffin Works offers Pawsitive Interactions with Service Dogs During Response Operations©, an audience-customized training that breaks down barriers by offering hands-on handling training and demonstrations with working service dogs for fire departments, EMS agencies, and public safety organizations.
Part of the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium and home to the National Emergency Response and Recovery Training Center, TEEX has been leading homeland security training since 1998. The major TEEX programs include fire and rescue, infrastructure and safety, law enforcement, economic and workforce development, and homeland security. As a member of The Texas A&M University System, TEEX is unique in its ability to access a broad range of emerging research and technical expertise. Beginning with course design and development all the way through hands-on instruction and national certification testing, TEEX delivers comprehensive training through both classroom and hands-on instruction and as online courses.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) was created by Congress in 2000 as part of the Children’s Health Act to raise the standard of care and increase access to services for children and families who experience or witness traumatic events. This unique network of child-serving professionals, caregivers and young adults, researchers, and national partners is committed to changing the course of children’s lives by improving their care and moving scientific gains quickly into practice across the U.S. The NCTSN is administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and coordinated by the UCLA-Duke University National Center for Child Traumatic Stress (NCCTS).
The Emergency Management Institute (EMI) is part of the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The EMI provides national leadership in developing and delivering training to ensure that individuals and groups having key emergency management responsibilities possess the requisite skills to effectively perform their jobs.
The High Alert Institute maintains a list of reviewed courses provided by governments, universities and professional organizations. This list is geared towards the non-emergency management person who participates in disaster planning, preparedness, response, recovery or mitigation as part of their job responsibilities.
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Koi need forever homes, too! For pond enthusiasts, freshwater exotic and ornamental fish may not be available through pet stores or rescues in their area. The High Alert Institute Aquatic Pet Shelter Rehoming Program will be happy to assist you in stocking your new pond or adding a new finned friend to your school. Coming soon – when you adopt a Koi from the High Alert Institute Aquatic Pet Shelter Rehoming Program, we can arrange for delivery to your door anywhere in the continental United States.
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Dumping of freshwater non-native species and exotic aquatic pets into wild habitats is a man-made disaster that is truly preventable. The Institute’s Aquatic Pet Welfare Partnership works to raise awareness and reduce the impact on healthy ecosystems through education, as well as rescue and rehoming. Joined by champions of animal welfare and environmental stewardship, this association of aquatic pet rescue operations and aquatic pet shelters across the United States aims to save our finned friends and preserve our waterways together.
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Disasters are defined as situations in which needs exceed or overwhelm available resources. Some disasters affect an entire community, while other disasters impact individuals and families. Crises of physical or psychological health can be very personal disasters.
The therapeutic value of pets during illness, trauma, and recovery is well established. And Koi fish may be well suited for people who are not able to provide verbal pet commands or physically care for pets like dogs and cats. Koi ponds are also a source of beauty and peace, providing an ideal setting for quiet reflection or meditation.
We are working to partner with pond installers and aquatic pet rescues/shelters to offer free or reduced-cost ponds with rehomed Koi fish to people seeking this type of pet therapy.
Disasters disrupt life and impact our sense of personal, family, and community safety. Survivors and responders alike often are not aware of the emotional, psychological or spiritual challenges that they may face from disaster onset through recovery. With two decades of experience training responders and communities to prepare for the behavioral health aspects of disasters, we will continue to provide education and a curated list of resources to groups or individuals.
Non-medical factors that impact overall health are termed Social Determinants of Health or SDoH. Noise pollution, poor air quality, and poor water quality are three environmental factors known to have a strong link to overall health. And the same environmental factors that impact humans impact their pets and other animals in their care. We continue to assist in advocacy, education, and technology development to mitigate the impact of SDoH on humans and animals alike.
Our efforts in shelter and rescue are the main focus of our environmental stewardship, reducing the environmental impact of non-native aquatic animals being dumped into public waterways. The High Alert Institute also assists innovators with the design, development, and evaluation of green and renewable energy technologies. Reducing the carbon footprint associated with disaster preparedness, response, and recovery furthers our continued mission to mitigate risk and improve resilience.
We partner with public and private organizations, sharing resources and fostering partnerships to improve disaster preparedness, response, and recovery, and mitigation.
The High Alert Institute team has over a century of combined research experience in medical, nursing, behavioral health, and disaster sciences. Our team provides support to researchers and technology developers through comprehensive literature searches and reviews, as well as failure mode database searches and adjudicated reviews.
When disaster strikes, most aquatic pet owners have limited options to secure the safety of their pets. Sheltering in place may not be possible if there is no power to provide aeration and “pet-friendly” shelters do not include ponds or aquariums. Our goal is to provide an option for aquatic pet owners in need of rescue and shelter for their finned friends.
Our goal is to share our two decades of disaster readiness experience with animal welfare organizations, shelters, caretakers, and pet owners, as they implement contingency plans for natural and manmade disasters.
