Antimicrobial Resistance, or AMR, is dramatically increasing worldwide. In 2019, AMR caused 5 million deaths. Medical professionals and governments urgently need new interventions to tackle drug resistance. Otherwise, millions more lives will be at risk in coming years.
The World Health Organization calls AMR a “silent pandemic.” It could undo a century of medical progress. In the near future, AMR might turn minor infections into deadly threats.
Estimates suggest that bacterial AMR kills more people than HIV or malaria. A study in The Lancet predicts that from 2024 to 2050, nearly 40 million people will die from AMR diseases. During this period, deaths from AMR could increase by almost 70%.
What Is AMR and Why Is It Expanding?
AMR happens when microbes adapt to treatments over time. These pathogens include viruses and bacteria. While resistance occurs naturally, overprescribing antibiotics makes it worse. Only 8% of hospital patients have bacterial infections, yet 75% receive antibiotics.
In 2022, doctors prescribed seven antibiotics for every 10 people in outpatient care. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says almost a third of these prescriptions were unnecessary.
What Are the Barriers to Combating AMR?
The lack of new, effective antibiotics worsens the crisis. Developing new antibiotics is expensive, costing over $1 billion. Once approved, these drugs don’t make much money. They are prescribed sparingly and for short periods. Hospitals may also deprioritize them due to their high price.
AMR is a complex global threat. Climate change and poverty contribute to AMR deaths. For example, drug-resistant tuberculosis spreads more in warmer climates.
Worsening weather forces people into temporary settlements or refugee camps. In these conditions, people are especially vulnerable to AMR infections. Extreme weather harms sanitation and increases opportunities for disease to thrive.
Wealth inequality makes AMR harder to tackle globally. Developed countries need to limit antibiotic use. In developing countries, people die from lack of access to antibiotics. With better global healthcare, policymakers and healthcare workers could avoid over 100 million deaths by 2050.
What Solutions and Innovations Are Available for AMR?
Since AMR is a complex problem, it needs multiple solutions. One approach is developing new treatments for AMR diseases. For example, Vedanta Biosciences in Cambridge has developed an oral therapy. The drug targets gastrointestinal diseases caused by antibiotic resistance.
New medical devices can quickly identify diseases and suggest the right medications. By improving prescription accuracy, we can reduce unnecessary antibiotic use. Artificial intelligence can also help diagnose and treat diseases, especially in developing countries.
Vaccines are another crucial tool against AMR. By reducing infections and their spread, vaccines lessen the burden on antibiotics.
The University of Florida received an $11 million grant to study how bacteria and antibiotics interact at the molecular level. This research could lead to new drugs to combat AMR.
Conclusion
AMR is a growing global health threat that demands immediate action. Innovation, policy changes, and global cooperation can reduce its devastating effects. These efforts are owed to future generations.
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Logan Hamilton is a health and wellness freelance writer for hire. He’s passionate about crafting crystal-clear, captivating, and credible content that elevates brands and establishes trust. When not writing, Logan can be found hiking, sticking his nose in bizarre books, or playing drums in a local rock band. Find him at loganjameshamilton.com.
