Global Health Security and the Neglect of Animal Health: Financing Gaps in Veterinary Services and Implications for Pandemic Prevention
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.68903/vjta.2026.v07i02.09Keywords:
One Health; Global Health Security; Veterinary Services; Zoonotic Diseases; Pandemic Prevention; Animal Health Financing; Climate Finance; Livestock Systems; Emerging Infectious Diseases; Veterinary Public HealthAbstract
Infectious disease outbreaks threaten sustainable development and global health security, with approximately 75% of emerging and 60% of recognized human infectious diseases originating from animals. Despite this, animal health systems remain critically underfunded within global health finance. This research examines the global funding disparity between human and animal health systems and its implications for climate resilience, One Health implementation, and pandemic preparedness. A narrative review and policy analysis synthesized secondary data from international organizations, peer-reviewed literature, and financing reports. In 2026, global animal health expenditure was estimated at USD 64.45 billion—just 0.6% of total healthcare spending (~USD 11 trillion), with less than USD 1 billion allocated to public veterinary services. Thus, climate and pandemic preparedness funding for veterinary systems remains negligible. This underinvestment compromises disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, workforce development, wildlife monitoring, and antimicrobial resistance control. Preventing pandemics requires controlling zoonotic disease establishment at the animal-human-environment interface. Sustainable global health security cannot be achieved without substantial investment in veterinary services and integrated One Health governance. Strengthening animal health systems must, therefore be. recognized as a global public health and economic priority.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Chanchal Bhattacharya, Manojit Shit (Author)
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