Ethical Issues During Implementation of One Health in Brucellosis Disease Control in Low- and Middle-income Countries: a Scoping Review

Abstract

The One Health approach is a comprehensive and integrated strategy aimed at achieving sustainable equilibrium and promoting the health of individuals, animals, and the environment. It recognizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of the three health domains. With the rise of challenges, for example, pandemics, climate change, and food insecurity, employing the One Health strategy becomes imperative. Research indicates that 60% of diseases have zoonotic origins, with Brucellosis being a significant zoonotic disease affecting low-resource settings. Brucellosis is a neglected illness that disproportionately impacts impoverished communities due to limited funding and resources for its control. A major challenge affecting the One Health approach is sustaining a well-balanced implementation. Ethical challenges are one of these challenges affecting the One Health approach. Ethical dilemmas occur when the principles of One Health are not upheld or when there are two conflicting principles. This paper highlights the absence of an ethical framework to guide One Health implementation. The lack of an ethical framework poses a challenge to the approach. This paper offers recommendations on how to tackle this challenge.