Urgent Global Action Required to Address Rising Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance

At the World Health Assembly, authors of a new Lancet Series called for urgent global action on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), warning that if left unchecked, AMR could lead to a steady increase in the global death toll, currently 4.95 million per year. The most vulnerable populations, including young infants, elderly people, and those with chronic illnesses, are at the highest risk.

The economic burden of AMR is staggering, with projections indicating an additional $1.2 trillion in health expenditure per year by 2050. This financial strain underscores the need for immediate and coordinated global efforts to combat this growing threat, including health initiatives.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified four key priorities to lead global efforts against AMR: driving public health impact, promoting research and development (R&D) of new antimicrobial agents, monitoring the AMR burden and response, and implementing evidence-based interventions to reduce the spread of resistance, as outlined in the WHO updates.

Addressing AMR will significantly impact achieving six of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Effective management of AMR is crucial for global health security and the sustainability of healthcare systems worldwide.

Why this matters:

Antimicrobial resistance is a critical global health issue that affects people of all ages and backgrounds, and its unchecked spread could have devastating consequences for public health and the economy. If left unaddressed, AMR could lead to a significant increase in deaths, economic burden, and erosion of trust in healthcare systems.

The WHO's updated Bacterial Priority Pathogens List (BPPL) 2024 is a critical tool in the global fight against AMR. The list categorizes 24 pathogens into critical, high, and medium priority groups to inform research and development and public health interventions, as seen in the WHO updates.

Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO's Assistant Director-General for Antimicrobial Resistance ad interim, emphasized the importance of the BPPL: *'By mapping the global burden of drug-resistant bacteria and assessing their impact on public health, this list is key to guiding investment and grappling with the antibiotics pipeline and access crisis.'*

Since the first BPPL was released in 2017, the threat of AMR has intensified, eroding the efficacy of numerous antibiotics and putting many of the gains of modern medicine at risk. The updated list aims to promote international coordination and innovation in R&D for new antibiotics, as part of a comprehensive health strategy.

The fight against AMR requires a multifaceted approach, including better surveillance, improved infection prevention and control, and the development of new antimicrobial agents, which is critical for global health security.

The global response to AMR must be swift and comprehensive to prevent further escalation of this public health crisis, as emphasized by the WHO updates.

Key Takeaways

• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could lead to 4.95 million deaths/year if left unchecked.
• AMR could cost an additional $1.2 trillion in health expenditure by 2050.
• WHO identifies 4 key priorities to combat AMR: public health impact, R&D, monitoring, and interventions.
• Effective AMR management is crucial for 6 Sustainable Development Goals and global health security.
• WHO's Bacterial Priority Pathogens List (BPPL) 2024 guides research and public health interventions against AMR.