One Health approach in Chagas disease remains fragmented, review findsOne Health Approach Shows Gaps in Chagas Disease Research

Frontiers in Medicine Published June 17, 2026 Study authors: Kaic Santos Silva Pereira, Ricardo Evangelista Fraga, Eliana Amorim de Souza, Márcio Borba da Silva,… DOI ↗ Editorial oversight: Dr. Ji-eun Park, MD · Brain, Mind & Pain

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Key Takeaway

Interpret these findings as evidence that One Health integration in Chagas disease research remains limited, with most studies focusing on animal health alone.

This systematic review investigated how the One Health approach has been applied in Chagas disease studies. From 227 retrieved documents, 68 were included for analysis. The review included scientometric analysis, data systematization, and graphical visualization of research trends.

Key findings show a predominance of studies focusing on animal health (41.2%), while only a minority (11.8%) integrated all three core components: human, animal, and environmental health. The authors note that actions largely remain sectoral and fragmented, indicating a lack of effective interdisciplinary collaboration.

Limitations acknowledged by the authors include the fragmented nature of current research and the need for stronger integration. The review did not report on specific interventions, comparators, or clinical outcomes, as it focused on research trends rather than treatment efficacy.

For practice, this review underscores the importance of adopting a more integrated One Health approach in Chagas disease management, but clinicians should recognize that the evidence is based on a systematic review of research trends, not clinical trial data.

How this fits prior evidence

This systematic review extends prior coverage by highlighting the fragmented application of the One Health approach in Chagas disease research. Previous items noted higher in-hospital mortality in heart failure patients with Chagas disease and an evidence gap for amiodarone in chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy. This review adds that despite calls for integration, most studies still focus on animal health alone, suggesting a gap between the One Health ideal and current research practice.

Researchers reviewed 68 documents to see how the One Health approach is used in Chagas disease studies. The One Health approach looks at the connection between human health, animal health, and the environment. This review aimed to see how well these three areas are combined to manage the disease.

The results showed that most research focuses on animal health, which accounted for over 41 percent of the studies. Only a small minority of the papers successfully integrated all three components: human, animal, and environmental factors. The study suggests that current efforts are often fragmented into separate sectors rather than being joined together.

Because this was a review of existing research and not a clinical trial, it does not provide new medical treatments. It highlights a need for better coordination in how the disease is studied and managed. Patients should talk to their doctors about specific treatment plans or management strategies.

What this means for you:

Most Chagas disease research focuses on animals, with few studies linking human, animal, and environmental health.

Common questions

What is the One Health approach for Chagas disease?

The One Health approach looks at how human health, animal health, and the environment are connected. In this review of 68 documents, researchers found that only a minority of studies successfully integrated all three components to study or manage Chagas disease.

What did the research find about current Chagas disease studies?

The analysis showed that animal health is the most common focus, appearing in 41.2 percent of the studied documents. The review suggests that many actions currently remain fragmented and do not fully connect human and environmental factors.

Study Details

Study typeMeta analysis

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedJun 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

Chagas disease ranks among the most important Neglected Tropical Diseases in the Americas. Given its epidemiological, social, and ecological complexity, the One Health approach has been increasingly recognized as a strategic framework for its integrated management. The aim of this research is to investigate how the One Health approach has been applied in Chagas disease studies. This study consists of a systematic review (2008–2024), with searches conducted in the Web of Science®, PubMed®, Scopus®, and Dimensions® databases, using descriptors combined with Boolean operators. The analysis included (i) scientometric methods supported by VOSviewer® software, (ii) systematization of the collected data in structured spreadsheets, and (iii) graphical visualization through a chord diagram (Flourish®). The most prominent researchers were Ricardo Castillo-Neyra and Michael Levy. A strong contribution from the Americas was observed in studies addressing Chagas disease and the One Health approach. Of the 227 documents retrieved, 68 met the inclusion criteria. A predominance of studies focused on animal health (41.2%) was identified. Only 11.8% of the studies integrated the three core components of One Health (human, animal, and environmental). Although topics such as surveillance, vectors, and public health are highlighted, the data reveal that actions largely remain sectoral and fragmented. This systematic review highlights that although progress has been made in applying the One Health perspective to Chagas disease, it is still necessary to strengthen the effective integration among the three components of the approach.

One Health approach in Chagas disease remains fragmented, review findsOne Health Approach Shows Gaps in Chagas Disease Research

How this fits prior evidence

Common questions

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One Health approach in Chagas disease remains fragmented, review findsOne Health Approach Shows Gaps in Chagas Disease Research

How this fits prior evidence

Common questions

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Clinical research that matters. Delivered to your inbox.

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