A new study reveals that animals are increasingly suffering from chronic diseases, mirroring human health issues, highlighting urgent research needs.
Increasingly, pets, livestock, and marine species are facing a surge in chronic health issues such as cancer, obesity, diabetes, and degenerative joint diseases. This trend of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is alarming, yet the scientific community lacks extensive interdisciplinary research to decipher the underlying causes. Understanding the interplay between these factors is essential, as the drivers affecting animal health are often shared with human wellbeing.
A recent research endeavor published in Risk Analysis proposes a novel risk assessment framework aimed at better tracking and managing chronic diseases in animals. Under the leadership of Antonia Mataragka, an animal scientist at the Agricultural University of Athens, this study underscores an evidence-based model that not only supports veterinary health but is also relevant to public health due to the interconnectedness of chronic disease trends in both animals and humans.
Contributing Factors to Rising Chronic Diseases
Mataragka’s study conducts an exhaustive review of existing literature, identifying multiple risk factors contributing to the rise of NCDs. Genetic predisposition is a significant risk element; selectively bred dogs and cats for aesthetic traits, as well as livestock bred for production efficiency, demonstrate elevated rates of conditions like diabetes and mitral valve disease.
Environmental factors also play a crucial role. Poor nutrition, insufficient exercise, and chronic stress are reshaping the disease landscape across various species. Consider the case of domestic cats and dogs: surveys suggest that 50-60% are classified as overweight, a situation that has contributed to skyrocketing rates of feline diabetes. In agricultural circles, osteoarthritis affects around 20% of pigs raised in intensive farming conditions. On the marine front, beluga whales are increasingly diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancers, while farmed Atlantic salmon are battling cardiomyopathy syndrome. Even wildlife isn’t immune; animals inhabiting polluted estuaries face liver tumor occurrences as high as 15-25% due to exposure to hazardous chemicals.
Impact of Human Activities on Animal Health
The escalating health threats are further exacerbated by human-driven ecological changes. Climate change, urbanization, and the loss of biodiversity are magnifying harmful exposures. For instance, warming oceans and deteriorating coral ecosystems correlate with increased tumor rates in marine species like turtles and fishes. In urban settings, deteriorating air quality and rising temperatures contribute to obesity, diabetes, and immune disorders in companion animals. Chemical runoff and pollution are also affecting hormonal functions in various bird and mammal populations.
Mataragka points out that "As environmental changes accelerate disease emergence, the absence of early diagnostic systems further delays NCD detection in animals." While organizations such as the World Health Organization have amassed extensive data regarding NCD mortality in humans, similar statistics for animal populations remain scarce, indicating a critical gap in research and surveillance.
Proposed Framework for Mitigation and Research
The study provides an analysis of the prevalence of NCDs among assorted animal groups and explores how specific risk factors contribute to disease manifestation. It delineates mitigation strategies across four levels: individual, population (or herd), ecosystem, and policy. Key drivers that elevate susceptibility among pets, livestock, and wildlife are identified as climate change, habitat degradation, pollution, and dietary imbalances.
Mataragka’s approach merges the One Health and Ecohealth frameworks, which traditionally operate in silos but emphasize the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. By integrating these perspectives, the model illustrates how genetic vulnerabilities intersect with environmental pressures to contribute to chronic health issues.
The hope is that this holistic view will ultimately foster more coordinated monitoring of animal populations, humans, and ecosystems alike, enabling early detection of rising NCDs. By recognizing the shared causative factors for chronic illnesses, researchers and policymakers may be better positioned to mitigate disease risks across species.
Materials provided by Society for Risk Analysis. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
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