Editorial for IJMHN: An application of the ‘one health’ approach for extreme weather events and mental health: Can the adoption of a ‘one health’ approach better prepare us for the predicted drought in parts of rural Australia?

Abstract

<p>Rural communities are at high risk from the impacts of extreme weather events and climate variability. The im-pacts of extreme weather events such as f loods, droughts and bushfires affect rural communities through nu-merous interconnected relationships (Skinner, 2022). Skinner (2022) argues that a better understanding of the interconnection between human and animal health and the environment is needed. This understanding may be enhanced by the application of a 'One Health' approach, which has recently been defined as 'an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems. It recognizes the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the wider environment (including ecosystems) are closely linked and interdependent' (OHHLEP et al., 2022, p.2).</p>