The Socioeconomic Impact of Diseases of Working Equids in Low and Middle-Income Countries: A Critical Review

Simple Summary Working equids represent a source of livelihood for vulnerable communities in low and middle-income countries. This has been widely demonstrated by research conducted in various contexts, which is available to policymakers. Nevertheless, the important social and economic role of working equids is overlooked and they are excluded by governments and international organisations from animal health policies and interventions, with detrimental effects on animal welfare, human wellbeing and livelihoods. By reviewing the literature available on the subject, this study aims to investigate the effects of diseases of working equids on the economic and social assets of their owners. Results show that working equid diseases severely damage livelihoods, human health and social assets. This study explores the relationship between working equid health, livelihoods and human health according to the 'One Health' approach that enables us to evaluate the implications of a particular problem on human, animal and environmental health. Through the 'One Health' approach, this study will serve as a resource to sensitise policymakers on the need to develop policies and interventions aimed at protecting the health and welfare of working equids and, consequently, the health and livelihoods of their owners. It is hoped that the 'One Health' approach applied within this study will provide an opportunity to also reach those policymakers who have not yet recognised the multiple implications of working equid health on human health, wellbeing and livelihoods.Abstract Working equids provide a crucial contribution to the livelihoods and food security of communities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Nevertheless, they are a neglected category within animal health policies and interventions of governmental and non-governmental institutions. This critical review aims to assess the socioeconomic impact of diseases of working equids in LMICs. By highlighting the implications of diseases on working equid welfare, human wellbeing and livelihoods, this review seeks to sensitise policymakers within governments and international organisations to develop policies and interventions aimed at protecting the health of working equids and, consequently, the health and livelihoods of their dependent communities. Twenty relevant publications were identified through the search of five databases (CAB Abstracts, Web of Science Core Collection, BIOSIS, EMBASE and Scopus), backward citation searching and screening of indexes of proceedings and Special Issues retrieved from the database search. The review findings show that diseases of working equids have detrimental socioeconomic effects. However, this subject is under-researched and restricted to few diseases and geographical settings. Considering the complexity of the issue, this review demonstrates that the 'One Health' approach represents an opportunity to clarify the link between equid health, human wellbeing and livelihoods, facilitating the translation of research into policy.