A new study published in The Lancet reveals a stark warning about the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), predicting a near 70% increase in global deaths from drug-resistant infections by 2050, CNN reports.
The study, conducted by researchers from the Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance Project, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, and other institutions, estimates that over 39 million deaths could be directly attributed to AMR between 2025 and 2050. This alarming projection underscores the urgency of tackling the ongoing superbug crisis.
The World Health Organization has classified AMR as a top global health threat, driven by the misuse and overuse of antimicrobial medications in humans, animals, and plants. This rampant use has enabled pathogens like bacteria and fungi to evolve and evade the very medications designed to kill them.
Analyzing data from 1990 to 2021 across 204 countries, the study identified a concerning trend: while deaths from AMR have significantly decreased among children under five, they have risen dramatically in adults over 70. This disparity is expected to continue.
The study stressed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as a primary contributor to the growing AMR burden. Deaths directly attributable to this specific pathogen-drug combination nearly doubled between 1990 and 2021.
The researchers have modeled three scenarios for 2050, exploring potential outcomes based on different intervention strategies. A scenario with continued current practices forecasts a devastating increase in AMR-related deaths, potentially reaching 1.9 million attributable deaths and 8.2 million associated deaths globally.
However, the study also offers hope. A scenario with improved access to quality healthcare, including potent antibiotics and resources to reduce and treat infections, could avert a major number of deaths. In this scenario, around 92 million cumulative deaths could be avoided between 2025 and 2050. Additionally, a scenario with the development of new, more potent antibiotics could prevent another 11 million deaths.
The study has stressed the crucial need for global action to combat AMR. Dr. Strathdee, a leading researcher in the field, emphasizes that reducing the potential burden of AMR will require improving access to antibiotics, newer antimicrobial medications, vaccines, clean water, and other essential healthcare services worldwide. Simultaneously, it is crucial to reduce the use of antibiotics in livestock, food production, and the environment, which can contribute to the development of further resistance.
