Mapping the Digital One Health/One Digital Health paradigm: A bibliometric and foresight-based analysis of emerging trends and future directions

TL;DR

This paper maps the emerging field of Digital One Health using bibliometric and foresight analysis to identify trends and future directions.

Contribution

It introduces a novel framework for analyzing the convergence of One Health and Digital Health through keyword clustering and foresight mapping.

Findings

OH research clusters include human/veterinary health systems and AMR governance.

DH themes include digital decision-support and precision diagnostics.

DOH/ODH clusters include AI in pandemic response and zoonotic surveillance.

Abstract

The One Health (OH) framework, emphasizing the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health, has expanded with the rise of Digital Health (DH), which applies technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), mobile health, and genomics to improve outcomes. Their intersection, termed Digital One Health (DOH) or One Digital Health (ODH), reflects a major shift in how global health threats are addressed.

To map and interpret the thematic structure, evolution, and future frontiers of OH, DH, and their convergence in DOH/ODH through bibliometric and foresight analysis.

A comprehensive PubMed/MEDLINE search retrieved 18,383 OH articles, 23,281 DH articles, and 290 integrating both. VOSviewer was used to build keyword co-occurrence networks and visualize cluster evolution. Manual thematic labeling and a foresight typology classified clusters as structural drivers, emerging issues, or weak signals.

OH research formed six clusters, including human/veterinary health systems, ecological modeling, and anti-microbial resistance (AMR) governance. DH clustered into seven themes such as digital decision-support, precision diagnostics, and equity-centered interventions. DOH/ODH showed seven integrated clusters (e.g. AI in pandemic response, zoonotic surveillance, and microbial genomics). Over time, a shift toward convergence, prediction, and integration was observed. Foresight mapping identified structural drivers (e.g. digital infrastructure, AMR surveillance), emerging issues (e.g. AI-driven epidemic intelligence, mobile mental health), and weak signals (e.g. occupational biosafety, pathogen phylogenetics, and infodemic management).

DOH/ODH is crystallizing as a cohesive, interdisciplinary paradigm. Advancing ethical governance, equity, and participatory innovation is essential for realizing its global potential.

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