Professional Associations carry fundamental missions embedded in their statutes and shaped by law. They provide legal certainty for the practice, oversee self-regulation within the profession, and defend members when challenged. Yet the core value they deliver to society lies in what each association can contribute within its professional realm, especially through collective impact. In the medical field, the central challenge is clear: raising the health of the whole population by coordinating efforts that extend beyond the outcomes of individual patient care.
This is why the topic is public health. Traditionally, it has meant environmental controls such as safe drinking water, waste and wastewater management, the integrity of the food chain, prevention and control of preventable and emerging diseases, and the promotion of preventive measures like vaccines. Today, the concept has broadened. Public health in human health now reflects the interconnections with animal health and environmental health, forming a more integrated view.
We live in a world without borders where these interdependencies matter not only for communication but for every potential disease vector and environmental impact on health. The Covid-19 pandemic provided a vivid demonstration of this reality. Yet there are other environmental effects on human well-being that deserve attention. This is why the dissemination of health information and the raising of awareness must be approached from a One Health perspective, which recognizes these links and promotes a broader understanding of health determinants.
One Health is an approach to designing and implementing programs, policies, legislation, and research in which multiple sectors communicate and collaborate to achieve better public health outcomes. By aligning veterinary science, human medicine, environmental stewardship, and other related fields, it becomes possible to anticipate risks, share data, and implement preventive actions more efficiently.
Some may view global health issues as secondary in the current crisis landscape of the public health system, which has faced repeated criticism from educational peers. Yet, the consequences of a misaligned prevention strategy would undermine the continuity of care. Prevention is proven to be effective in clinical settings, guiding daily tasks such as vaccination, cardiovascular risk reduction, and the early detection of certain cancers. Nonetheless, even with solid scientific evidence, the effects of environmental health on human health are often underassessed in routine practice.
A case in point is the ongoing challenge of antimicrobial resistance linked to the improper use of antibiotics not only in humans but also in agriculture and animal husbandry. These practices contribute to resistance that can spread through the food chain and the surrounding environment. This issue is estimated to cause thousands of deaths annually in some countries, with concerns of a global scale. Coordinated international action has led to national plans against antibiotic resistance, targeting healthcare professionals in both human and veterinary medicine to improve prescribing practices and stewardship.
Respecting the environment translates into doing medicine with care for ecological consequences. The Medical Alliance Against Climate Change, an initiative supported by the University Medical Organization, demonstrates how professional bodies can influence policy and practice. The College of Physicians of Alicante has participated since its inception, emphasizing the need to deepen knowledge about how healthcare activities affect the environment. Practical changes at the point of care include selecting inhaler devices with lower environmental impact without compromising efficacy. It is striking to note that one such container can have a CO2 footprint comparable to driving a car for hundreds of kilometers.
Demonstrating leadership, COMA has invested in energy efficiency over the past five years, obtaining a carbon footprint assessment and a reduction certificate from national environmental authorities. The building has also become a pioneer in sustainability by creating a Solar Community through the installation of photovoltaic panels, underscoring how health institutions can model responsible energy use.
Finally, COMA collaborates with the One Health Platform, a nationwide network that brings together interdisciplinary and cross-sector expertise. This platform connects university bodies, professional associations, and philanthropic organizations under the umbrella of a national medical authority, reinforcing a shared commitment to comprehensive health and proactive collaboration across disciplines. Through this alliance, the concept of One Health remains central to improving population health outcomes and ensuring resilient health systems.