The study, published on Sept. 16 in The Lancet, provides a stark forecast for the future impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and highlights the growing threat posed by drug-resistant pathogens.The research, carried out by the Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance (GRAM) Project, covers 204 countries and territories and offers the most comprehensive analysis of the global AMR burden to date.
The study emphasizes several policy measures that could significantly reduce AMR-related deaths. These include improving the quality of health care in hospitals and clinics, expanding access to life-saving antibiotics, and promoting the responsible use of antibiotics in various settings.
"The continued overuse of antimicrobials, both in human health and in agriculture, produces an environment that selects for increasingly resistant bacteria," the researchers warned.
The study’s authors also called for a renewed focus on prevention, such as vaccination, infection control in healthcare settings, and improved sanitation.
"New prevention efforts to address AMR must remain a priority for global health policymakers," the researchers wrote, warning that without sustained efforts, the world faces a future where once-treatable infections could become life-threatening again.