Summary
This FAO publication makes the case that soil health is a foundational pillar of One Health — the integrated framework recognising the interdependence of human, animal and ecosystem health. It likely synthesises existing evidence on how soil degradation undermines food nutrient density, increases pathogen and zoonotic disease risk, and reduces ecosystem resilience, while highlighting policy and management pathways to restore soil function. As a public-facing institutional report rather than a primary research study, it draws on a broad evidence base to inform policymakers, land managers and health practitioners.
UK applicability
Although global in scope, the findings are directly applicable to UK policy contexts, particularly given UK commitments to the Environmental Land Management scheme, soil health targets under the post-Brexit agricultural transition, and the UK's endorsement of One Health principles through DEFRA and the UK Health Security Agency.
Key measures
Soil health indicators (biological, chemical, physical); linkages to food nutritional quality, disease burden, ecosystem services and antimicrobial resistance where applicable
Outcomes reported
The report examines how soil degradation and soil health management connect to human health, animal health and ecosystem functioning within a One Health framework, likely drawing on case examples from multiple regions.
Topic tags
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