The 2nd International One-Health Conference, held in Barcelona on October 19-20, 2023, saw a distinguished assembly of professionals from diverse fields come together to advance the multidisciplinary conversation on public health. Among the attendees was Frederic Bartumeus from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), who presented the groundbreaking work of E4Warning.

With health being an essential aspect of modern society, the conference set forth the goal of bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and policy-making through a One Health approach—a holistic and integrated perspective on health that considers human, animal, and environmental well-being. The event aimed to foster synergistic dialogues among research fields and action domains, engaging researchers, experts, students, and decision-makers.

Central to the congress were the framing questions that challenge current paradigms and seek to integrate the One-Health framework into the health sector comprehensively. Discussions revolved around the inclusion of the One-Health framework in legislation under the EU, understanding the interlinkages between health, climate change, and decision-making, and identifying the concerns health professionals have regarding the One Health concept. The conference sought not only to outline the open questions but also to explore opportunities and solutions to overcome barriers to implementing the One-Health approach.

In this context, Frederic Bartumeus presented E4Warning’s contribution to enhancing urban resilience capacities through the One Health approach. He outlined the innovative tools developed as part of E4Warning and the various methodologies employed to address the risks of mosquito-borne diseases within the framework of eco-epidemiological intelligence. His presentation shed light on the project’s interdisciplinary strategies for early warning and response, which are crucial in the context of a changing climate and emerging health threats.

Bartumeus’s participation underscored the pivotal role of E4Warning in providing actionable solutions and insights, reinforcing the importance of integrating scientific research with policy and decision-making. The conference also had the participation of Maria Feio from the University of Coimbra, who’s  contribution to the conference centered around the innovative OneAquaHealth project, which underscores the potential of earth observations to monitor changes in urban aquatic ecosystems that are pertinent to human health.

The 2nd International One-Health Conference was more than a meeting of minds; it was a step forward in operationalizing the One Health concept in a way that meets the pressing health challenges of our times.

Willy Wint (ERGO), representing E4Warning, attended the EuroGEO workshop held in Bolzano on the 2nd and 3rd of October. E4Warning was featured in a session that delved into pressing issues related to climate-induced disasters and health challenges. This session, titled “Addressing climate-induced disasters and health challenges: the contribution of EuroGEO and GEO-CRADLE initiatives and the way forward”, highlighted the vital role of Earth Observations in tackling environmental and health-related adversities.

The workshop session, chaired by Haris Kontoes (NOA/BEYOND), set out with clear objectives: to showcase the successful integration of Earth Observation data into services tailored for mitigating climate-triggered disasters and health concerns. Stories of success from EuroGEO initiatives, including e-shape and the valuable contributions from the Disasters and Health Action Groups, were shared, emphasizing the scientific and service advancements made by these groups.

In a show of collective progress and strategic foresight, the session also outlined concrete roadmaps aimed at ensuring the sustainability of these actions and services. It highlighted the importance of promoting open access to Earth Observation data and science, alongside showcasing sustainable business models that utilize this data for the benefit of diverse stakeholders.

The commitment to designing future joint actions, like policy papers, special journal editions, and various workshops and webinars, stood out as a testament to the collaborative spirit driving these initiatives forward. This collaborative effort, supported by the EuroGEO Secretariat and relevant CSAs such as GEO-CRADLE and COERNICUS FPCUP, aims to forge synergies that will have a long-lasting impact on the global strategy post-2025 for addressing climate-related disasters and health crises.

Notable presentations from the session included:

• FRIEND’s innovative approach to flood risk and impact assessment by Marco Folegani (MEEO)
• MountaiNow‘s live mapping of mountain hazards, presented by Alexia Massacand
• SOL’s real-time flood forecast and early-warning system by Marco Mancini (PoliMi/MMI)
• EYWA’s Early Warning System for Mosquito-Borne Diseases from Haris Kontoes (NOA/BEYOND)
• E4Warning’s initiative on eco-epidemiological intelligence, presented by Willy Wint (ERGO)
• OneAquaHealth by Maria Feio (University of Coimbra) focusing on the potential of Earth Observations in urban aquatic ecosystems
• GEO-CRADLE‘s capacity building efforts across various regions, discussed by Alexia Tsouni (NOA/BEYOND)
• The Copernicus Health Hub, which connects environmental data with the health community, by Julie Letertre (ECMWF)

The session culminated in a round table discussion, moderated by Haris Kontoes, which allowed for an engaging exchange of ideas and experiences among the speakers.