Zoonoses and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population: A One Health scoping review

Abstract

With limited access to animal health services, and high disease burdens among domesticated animals, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia face higher risk of disease including zoonoses. However, we lack understanding of the contribution of often preventable zoonoses to the health of these communities, which would enable us to enhance public health strategies and improve health outcomes. We conducted a scoping review to identify the current state of evidence on zoonoses in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. We examined the size, scope and characteristics of the evidence base and analysed the zoonoses detected in the studies within a One Health framework. We identified 18 studies that detected 22 zoonotic pathogens in animals, people, and the environment, with most studies detecting pathogens in a single One Health sector and no studies investigating pathogens in all three sectors. Findings indicate that despite the strong conceptual foundations of One Health throughout the evidence base, evidence is lacking in application of this concept. There is a need to undertake further research that prioritises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, considers the contribution of human, animal and environmental health factors, and investigates the prevalence and impact of zoonoses in communities through a One Health approach.

Data analysis of zoonoses notifications in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations in Australia 1996–2021: implications for One Health

“…An existing criterion for communicable diseases to be determined a public health priority and classified as nationally notifiable is the pathogen’s importance to Indigenous health ( 23 ), therefore a strong evidence base and database is needed to understand the contribution of zoonotic pathogens to human disease ( 40 ). This is also needed to undertake a national zoonotic disease prioritisation process which could help to improve the management of zoonoses in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations.…”

“…This study builds on findings from a zoonoses scoping review that found gaps in the evidence base regarding zoonoses and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations ( 40 ). It also found that despite the strong conceptual foundations of One Health, evidence is lacking in its application and there is a need for research, programmes, and policies that prioritise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, incorporate multiple health sectors, and focus on zoonoses through a One Health approach.…”

“…Zoonotic pathogens are of increasing concern globally and they are commonly under-reported and neglected, with many gaps in our understanding of them within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. To address this and inform a One Health approach to the management of zoonoses, we initially undertook a scoping review regarding zoonoses in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations and found many gaps within the evidence base ( 40 ). This study builds on these findings by investigating the epidemiology of notifiable zoonoses within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations in Australia.…”

Undertaking One Health Research with Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities: Implications of a One Health Pilot Study

“…One Health is highly relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health in Australia and aligned with community and cultural values that recognise the integral relationships between the health of people, animals and the environment (Figure 1) (3). Yet many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities face health risks related to the environment and animals, with a One Health approach likely to assist in combating these risks (4)(5)(6). However, there is limited evidence and examples of One Health approaches within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander context and further work is needed to address this.…”

One Health and Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities: A One Health Pilot Study

“…One Health is highly relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health in Australia and is aligned with community and cultural values that recognise the integral relationships between the health of people, animals, and the environment [10]. However, many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities face a high risk of disease related to the environment and animals, and a One Health approach is likely to assist in combating this [11,12]. When considering One Health at a community level, people's physical, social, and spiritual connections to animals and the environment are well recognised [13][14][15].…”