Superbugs ‘could kill 39m people by 2050’ amid rising drug resistance
Superbugs ‘could kill 39m people by 2050’ amid rising drug resistance
The Facts
Based on a recent global study, superbugs, or antimicrobial resistance (AMR), bacterial strains or pathogens that have developed resistance to antibiotics, are projected to cause the deaths of over 39M people by 2050, with older people being particularly at risk.The Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance (GRAM) Project found that superbugs — bacterial strains or pathogens that develop resistance to antibiotics — are projected to kill over 39M people by 2050, particularly older people.
The Lancet released research Monday that found that newborn infection prevention and management decreased deaths of AMR among children under five by almost 50%. Over the same period, deaths increased by roughly 80% as an aging population made over-70s more prone to sickness.GRAM found that while deaths of children under five due to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) decreased by almost 50% from 1990-2021, deaths for those over 70 increased by 80% over the same period.
The Spin
As the research clearly shows, antimicrobial resistance, or AMR, is a serious health problem all over the world. The researchers paint different scenarios: If politicians and health authorities fail to take effective measures against AMR, such as enhancing the quality of health care, developing new potent antibiotic drugs to target resistant pathogens, and utilizing other resources to reduce and treat infections, we could face a serious threat that will particularly impact the aging population. With proper measures, the future doesn't need to be as dark as some of the data in this research suggest.
AMR threatens global health and development. Antibiotic misuse and overuse are the main causes of drug-resistant pathogens in humans, animals, and plants. This has resulted in millions of AMR deaths each year. Poverty and inequality exacerbate the widespread issue. AMR risks routine medical procedures and treatments. WHO anticipates significant human and economic costs, and it could add US$1 trillion in healthcare costs by 2050 and even more in GDP losses as early as 2030. This is a call to action to step up efforts to combat AMR.