Exploring the groundbreaking integration of microecology and One Health to advance global wellness strategies
Imagine an intricate, invisible network that links your body to every pet you've petted, every vegetable you've eaten, and every park you've walked through. This hidden web isn't science fiction—it's the world of microbes that surrounds and inhabits us, and it holds profound implications for our health.
Did you know? In July 2025, a landmark event in Ji'an, China culminated with the issuance of the Jinggangshan Declaration, an urgent call to integrate microecology with the "One Health" approach to advance China's ambitious health strategy 2 .
This declaration represents a paradigm shift in how we conceptualize health, suggesting that the secret to tackling everything from infectious diseases to chronic illnesses might lie in understanding the trillions of microorganisms that inhabit our bodies, our animals, and our environment.
Your body hosts about 100 trillion microorganisms—outnumbering your own cells.
Human, animal, and environmental health are deeply intertwined through microbial exchanges.
Microecology examines the complex communities of microorganisms—bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes—that exist in specific environments. These communities, known as microbiomes, are not random collections of germs but highly organized ecosystems that play crucial roles in the functioning of their hosts and environments 8 .
In humans, the most extensively studied microbiome resides in our gut, where approximately 100 trillion microorganisms help digest food, synthesize vitamins, train our immune system, and protect against pathogens 4 .
Recent research has revealed a fascinating phenomenon: microbial strains are constantly shared between humans, animals, and the environment, creating what scientists now call the "One Health Microbiome" 4 .
"This concept illustrates that we are not isolated biological entities but participants in a continuous microbial exchange with our surroundings."
This sharing follows ecological principles of "strain dispersion and environmental filtering" 4 . Microbes move between hosts and environments through various routes—physical contact, food consumption, air exposure—but only those well-adapted to their new environment successfully establish themselves.
One Health is defined by major global health organizations as "an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems" 5 7 .
This approach recognizes that the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the wider environment are closely linked and interdependent 7 .
Several pressing global challenges demonstrate the necessity of the One Health approach:
Approximately 75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, meaning they can spread between animals and people 3 . The COVID-19 pandemic underscored our vulnerability to diseases that jump from animals to humans.
The One Health approach mobilizes multiple sectors, disciplines, and communities to work together to address these complex challenges that cannot be contained within traditional disciplinary boundaries 7 .
The Jinggangshan Declaration emerged from deep scientific discussions about the intimate connections between microecological systems and health across species. The declaration emphasizes the pivotal role of microbe-host interactions in achieving personalized medicine and precision health 2 .
Conference participants highlighted that the multi-level molecular dialogue between microecology and hosts forms a dynamic equilibrium network. Understanding this dialogue not only expands the boundaries of basic life science theory but also provides new insights for chronic disease prevention, nutritional intervention, and public health strategies 2 .
Strengthening collaboration between microbiologists, physicians, veterinarians, and environmental scientists.
Translating microecological research findings into practical applications for health promotion.
Developing innovative approaches to disease prevention through microecological interventions.
Supporting the "Healthy China" strategy through microbiome science 2 .
To understand the concrete science behind the Jinggangshan Declaration, let's examine research on microbial sharing between humans and their canine companions. One particularly illuminating Japanese study investigated how cohabitation affects the gut microbiota of both dogs and their owners 4 .
The findings revealed fascinating patterns of microbial exchange:
| Bacterial Taxon | Percentage of Pairs Showing Sharing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ruminococcus gnavus group | 65% | Initially detected in dogs, later found in humans by third month |
| Faecalibacterium | 42% | Known for producing anti-inflammatory compounds |
| Streptococcus | 38% | Includes both beneficial and pathogenic species |
| Blautia | 31% | Associated with metabolic health |
Key Finding: Specific bacterial strains from the Ruminococcus gnavus group were initially detected only in dogs but appeared in their human companions after three months of cohabitation 4 .
The research also found that dog owners had significantly increased bacterial diversity on their skin, particularly on hands and foreheads, compared to non-dog owners 4 .
These findings demonstrate that our microbiomes are not self-contained but constantly influenced by our close contacts—including those of different species.
Cutting-edge microecological research relies on sophisticated technologies that allow scientists to observe and analyze microbial communities in unprecedented detail.
Comprehensive analysis of microbial communities and their functions using genomics, metabolomics, and proteomics.
Application: Studying how environmental changes affect microbial gene expression and metabolite production 2 .Identifying patterns in complex microbial datasets using AI and big data analysis.
Application: Predicting disease outbreaks based on environmental microbiome changes 2 .Analyzing genetic material from individual microbial cells for granular insights.
Application: Understanding microbial diversity and function at the most detailed level 2 .Modifying specific genes in microorganisms using technologies like CRISPR.
Application: Studying the function of particular microbial genes in health and disease 2 .Designing and constructing microbial communities for specific functions.
Application: Developing probiotic consortia to treat specific conditions 2 .Advanced computational tools for analyzing complex microbial datasets.
Application: Identifying microbial patterns associated with health and disease states.The Jinggangshan Declaration represents more than just a scientific consensus—it outlines a visionary path forward for health optimization that recognizes our fundamental interconnectedness with the microbial world and our environment.
By bridging microecology with the One Health framework, we open new possibilities for preventing and treating diseases, promoting wellness, and building more resilient health systems.
Designing cities that support diverse microbiomes through green spaces and environmental considerations.
Tailoring dietary recommendations based on an individual's unique microbial profile.
Monitoring environmental microbiomes for changes that signal emerging health threats.
"Health is not merely the absence of disease but the dynamic balance of complex interconnected systems—from the microscopic communities within our bodies to the vast ecosystems we inhabit."
By learning to nurture these connections, we move closer to achieving the vision of "Healthy China" and, ultimately, a healthier world for all species.
As the Jinggangshan Declaration concludes, strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration to safeguard human health through microecological science and technology innovation represents a milestone achievement across academic, industrial, and policy dimensions 2 —a convergence of fields that promises to revolutionize how we define, promote, and protect health in an increasingly interconnected world.