One Health, One Planet: A New Vision for Public Health

In an era where global health crises are increasingly interconnected, Dr. Vijay V. Yeldandi presents a bold and humane vision for healthcare—one that centers not only on medical innovation, but also on dignity, environmental stewardship, and community empowerment.

Recently in Mysuru for the 9th HIVe Mysuru 2025 Conference, Dr. Yeldandi spoke about his experience and philosophy. With over four decades of work in infectious diseases and public health, his insights challenge outdated systems and advocate for a holistic, inclusive future.

Ending Stigma Around HIV: A Matter of Dignity

Despite decades of progress in HIV treatment, stigma continues to be a major barrier. According to Dr. Yeldandi, the issue isn’t death—it’s the fear of losing control over life.

“The stigma surrounding HIV isn’t just medical. It’s deeply social,” he explains. “People associate it with judgment—bad behavior or karma. That fear breeds isolation.”

But with antiretroviral therapy (ART), individuals living with HIV can now lead long, healthy, autonomous lives. Even mother-to-child transmission can be prevented. To get there, however, we need more than medicine—we need compassion, education, and systemic support.

SHARE India: People-Centered Public Health

Dr. Yeldandi is a key leader at SHARE India, a not-for-profit scientific research organization working to improve public health outcomes across India.

“Our work spans HIV, TB, COVID-19, Hepatitis, and cancer screening,” he shares. “We’ve been working alongside the National AIDS Control Organisation since 2005, supported by the U.S. CDC.”

SHARE India collaborates with state governments to enhance training and healthcare infrastructure, always focusing on evidence-based, people-first solutions.

One Health, One Planet: A Unified Approach

At the core of Dr. Yeldandi’s message is the One Health, One Planet philosophy—a framework that recognizes the interconnected health of humans, animals, and the environment.

Take rabies, for example:

“95% of rabies deaths in India are due to stray dog bites. The solution isn’t just treating victims—it’s vaccinating dogs, controlling their population, and managing our urban environments humanely.”

Environmental degradation, plastic pollution, and contaminated water are just as critical to our health as any pathogen. The health of our planet is the health of its people.

Salutogenesis: Living with Purpose, Not Just Survival

Dr. Yeldandi champions Salutogenesis, a concept that shifts healthcare from focusing solely on disease to focusing on what creates health.

“Health isn’t just the absence of illness. It’s the ability to meet life’s demands,” he says.

As a polio survivor who uses crutches and braces to walk, he’s living proof that health is also about autonomy, dignity, and resilience.

The Challenge of Autoimmune Diseases

Despite progress, autoimmune diseases remain largely incurable. Why? Dr. Yeldandi explains:

“These conditions are complex. The immune system turns on itself, and we don’t always know why.”

Still, research—especially stemming from HIV immunology breakthroughs—has improved how we manage and even modulate immune responses, particularly in organ transplants and chronic illness.

COVID-19 Vaccines and Risk: Facts Over Fear

Yes, mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have been associated with rare side effects, including myocarditis, especially in adolescent males. But Dr. Yeldandi is clear:

“The risk from COVID itself—lung damage, death—is far greater. Vaccination remains the safer path.”

He emphasizes the importance of informed consent, transparency, and trust, steering the conversation away from panic and toward public education.

A Call for Humane, Inclusive, and Sustainable Healthcare

Whether it’s HIV, TB, chronic illness, or global pandemics, healthcare must be holistic and participatory.

“Every person deserves to live with dignity, autonomy, and purpose,” Dr. Yeldandi concludes. “And we all share a responsibility to protect the planet that sustains us.”

This isn’t just a medical vision. It’s a moral imperative.