Unveiled at the prestigious One Health Summit, convened by French President Emmanuel Macron in Lyon, the One Health Data Convergence Declaration of Intent articulates a comprehensive framework designed to harmonize diverse research data across multiple ecological and biological domains. The objective is to render disparate datasets interoperable and contextually coherent, thereby enabling more actionable insights that can inform policy, research, and public health interventions. At the heart of this declaration lies the vision of One Sustainable Health for All, reflecting a convergence of sustainability and health paradigms through data-driven innovation.

The origins of this collaborative declaration trace back to the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), acting through its Green Data for Health Hub. Backed by extensive international consultation, the declaration benefits from the active participation of the One Sustainable Health for All Foundation, which has partnered strategically with the Frontiers Research Foundation since August 2025. This partnership is a testament to a shared mission to harness global science networks towards evidence-based health actions that transcend geographical and disciplinary boundaries.

An essential dimension of the Declaration of Intent is its adherence to established open science data management principles, notably the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) and CARE (Collective Benefit, Authority to Control, Responsibility, and Ethics) frameworks. This synthesis seeks to strike a fine balance, ensuring data accessibility while upholding robust ethical, legal, and privacy safeguards. Signatories collectively advocate for an international treaty-level commitment to enhance data interoperability and encourage practical case studies that demonstrate real-world impacts of cross-domain data integration.

Leveraging the Frontiers Research Foundation’s deep expertise in open science and publishing, the initiative highlights the groundbreaking FAIR² Data Management service. This innovative platform empowers researchers to elevate the AI-readiness of their datasets, ensuring compliance with institutional mandates on copyright, data sharing, and access. By offering this service, Frontiers directly responds to the persistent challenge of vast volumes of data remaining siloed, disconnected, and underutilized, thereby unlocking their potential for scalable, impactful scientific discovery.

The Declaration underscores not only the technical imperatives of data interoperability but also the strategic necessity of cross-sector collaboration. Success in One Health hinges on integrating knowledge streams spanning human medicine, veterinary science, plant biology, and environmental sciences. This multidisciplinary alliance requires harmonized standards, shared vocabularies, and interoperable infrastructures, all oriented towards generating insights that are actionable at local, national, and global scales. The Declaration calls upon stakeholders to prioritize these collaborative frameworks to overcome the fragmentation that impedes holistic health solutions.

Dr. Franck Vazquez, Director of Open Science at Frontiers and coordinator of the collaboration with the One Sustainable Health for All Foundation, emphasized the importance of the Declaration within the broader context of planetary health. He highlighted that the One Health approach is fundamentally about interconnectedness—a reflection of the complex interdependencies among human, animal, and environmental health. Dr. Vazquez anticipates that mobilizing collective expertise and aligning efforts under shared data standards will significantly accelerate progress toward ubiquitous health resilience.

Echoing this sentiment, Benoit Miribel, President of the One Sustainable Health for All Foundation, reinforced the vision of transcending geopolitical and disciplinary boundaries. According to Miribel, the Foundation harnesses a global network of experts dedicated to transforming the One Health concept into pragmatic, scalable solutions. The Declaration serves as an actionable blueprint to enhance health monitoring and preventive strategies, leveraging data convergence to address some of the most pressing ecological and health challenges faced by society today.

Complementing the Declaration, a Civil Society Position Statement was also endorsed by the Frontiers Research Foundation. This statement broadens the scope by emphasizing the urgency of implementation and the critical nature of accountability and inclusivity in health governance. It explicitly connects the dots between the climate emergency, biodiversity loss, disrupted food systems, and the global health crisis, urging stakeholders to adopt more transparent, participatory, and equitable approaches in data governance and health interventions.

The technical foundation of the Declaration reflects a strategic synthesis of contemporary data science methodologies with open science ethics. AI-readiness of data sets is prioritized to harness machine learning and advanced analytics, enabling predictions and interventions previously unattainable. At the same time, the integration of ethical frameworks like CARE ensures that data sovereignty and responsibilities toward indigenous and marginalized communities are respected, reflecting a mature, socially conscious data ecosystem.

As the global scientific community grapples with unprecedented volumes of heterogeneous health data, the Declaration represents a timely intervention to disaggregate silos and foster an environment where data flows seamlessly across domains and stakeholders. This initiative envisages a future where interoperable databases underpin real-time surveillance, research innovations, and evidence-based policymaking that collectively enhance health outcomes and sustainability at global scale.

In closing, the Frontiers Research Foundation and its partners are poised to lead the charge in operationalizing the One Health principles through this landmark Declaration of Intent. By combining robust data management protocols, AI-compatibility, and inclusive governance frameworks, this initiative offers a blueprint for harnessing the full potential of convergent data science in service of planetary and population health. The journey ahead demands continued dedication, collaborative innovation, and a shared vision for a healthier planet for all life forms.

Subject of Research:
One Health Data Integration and Interoperability for Sustainable Global Health

Article Title:
Frontiers Research Foundation Endorses Global Data Convergence Declaration to Unlock One Health Potential

News Publication Date:
Information not provided

Web References:
– https://www.frontiersfoundation.org/
– https://oneplanetsummit.fr/en/events-16/one-health-summit-305
– https://www.anses.fr/en
– https://fondation-usdt.org/en/
– https://www.frontiersin.org/about/fair-data-management
– https://www.frontiersin.org/news/2025/10/29/global-science-networks-unite-to-accelerate-evidence-based-action-on-health

Keywords:
Open Science, One Health, Data Interoperability, FAIR Data Principles, CARE Principles, AI-Ready Data, Sustainable Health, Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration, Environmental Health, Public Health, Data Governance, Global Health Policy

At the core of this research is the recognition that data-driven decision-making is essential for effective public health policy formulation. The study draws upon both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, employing surveys, interviews, and case studies to unpack the intricacies of how nutritional data is gathered, analyzed, and utilized within Nigeria’s health framework. By conducting in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, including health professionals and policymakers, the researchers were able to delve into the systemic obstacles and facilitatory factors that characterize the current landscape of nutrition data usage in Nigeria.

One of the critical findings of the study highlights the towering importance of institutional capacity—defined as the ability of organizations to harness information effectively. In Nigeria, this capacity varies significantly across regions and institutions. Some health entities may possess the technical knowledge to analyze nutrition data, but they often lack access to the necessary resources or support systems to implement evidence-based decisions. This disparity can lead to inconsistent health outcomes, especially in vulnerable populations where nutrition-related issues are particularly acute.

Furthermore, the research underscores the pressing need for enhanced training and resource allocation within Nigerian health institutions. Stakeholders expressed an overwhelming desire for programs aimed at equipping personnel with the skills needed to interpret and utilize nutrition data effectively. This training is not merely an add-on but a fundamental requirement to transform data into actionable insights that can drive policy changes and improve health service delivery.

Moreover, the study advocates for better integration of nutrition data into broader health information systems. Currently, there exists a fragmentation of data handling across various levels of government and health systems. Such fragmentation can result in an incomplete picture of the nutritional status of the population, leading to misguided interventions that fail to address the root causes of malnutrition. By fostering a more cohesive data-sharing culture, health institutions can create a robust framework that facilitates real-time decision-making.

In analyzing the qualitative data collected, it became clear that leadership commitment to data-driven policy is crucial. The absence of a proactive attitude among certain leaders can result in a languid approach to utilizing nutrition data. The study reveals that enhanced leadership support could catalyze the establishment of effective data governance structures, ushering in an era where nutrition data acts as a backbone for strategic health initiatives.

Moreover, the researchers point to the crucial role of community engagement in enhancing the relevance and adoption of nutrition data. Involving community members in the data collection process not only bolsters the accuracy of the data but also brings to light the lived experiences that quantitative data may overlook. Such participatory approaches can close the gap between data generation and real-world application, ultimately leading to more tailored health interventions that resonate with local needs.

Behavioral insights gained through the study also reveal that while health professionals are keen to adopt new data intelligence tools, there exists skepticism regarding the data’s reliability. Consequently, fostering a culture of transparency and trust regarding nutrition data is fundamental to inspiring confidence among health practitioners. With the right measures in place, these professionals can become powerful advocates for utilizing nutrition data in their decision-making processes.

Furthermore, the study identifies the intersectionality of nutrition data with other sectors such as agriculture and education. Recognizing that malnutrition does not occur in a vacuum, the research suggests a multi-sectoral approach to addressing nutrition data gaps. Collaborative partnerships between health, agricultural, and educational institutions can exponentially enhance the quantity and quality of data available for making informed decisions regarding nutrition policy.

The mixed-methods nature of this study brings both depth and breadth to the discourse surrounding nutrition data usage in Nigeria. By correlating qualitative insights with quantitative results, a comprehensive understanding unfolds that few singular studies can achieve. This methodological approach allows the researchers to present a well-rounded perspective on institutional demands for actionable data—a vital aspect that can no longer be ignored in health sector planning.

In contemplating the broader implications of the findings, it becomes evident that nurturing institutional capacities to demand and use nutrition data is not solely an intra-national concern but also resonates with global health agendas. As Nigeria aims for sustainable development, particularly in achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), the capacity to leverage nutrition data becomes an imperative tool to checkmate malnutrition and its associated public health risks.

Consequently, the study calls on policymakers, development partners, and international organizations to recognize and channel their efforts towards strengthening institutional capacities. The improvements in infrastructure and human resources can directly contribute to a healthier population and more sustainable nutrition outcomes in Nigeria, serving as a model for other countries facing similar challenges.

In closing, this remarkable study serves as a clarion call to action for all stakeholders involved in the public health domain. For Nigeria, the stakes are high, and the time is ripe for a transformation in how nutrition data is perceived and utilized. By prioritizing capacity-building initiatives and fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making, Nigeria can make significant strides in resolving the pervasive issues of malnutrition that haunt its population. The path to health and nutrition equity undoubtedly lies in the hands of empowered institutions capable of wielding data as a decisive ally in the quest for better health outcomes.

Subject of Research: Assessing institutional capacities to demand and use nutrition data for decision-making in Nigeria’s health sector.

Article Title: Assessing institutional capacities to demand and use nutrition data for decision-making in Nigeria’s health sector: A mixed-methods study.

Article References:

Iruhiriye, E., Adeyemi, O., Akinmolayan, Y. et al. Assessing institutional capacities to demand and use nutrition data for decision-making in Nigeria’s health sector: A mixed-methods study.
Health Res Policy Sys 23, 117 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-025-01387-9

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1186/s12961-025-01387-9

Keywords: nutrition data, health sector, Nigeria, decision-making, public health, mixed-methods study, institutional capacity, malnutrition.