the health strategist
institute for strategic health transformation
& digital technology
Joaquim Cardoso MSc.
Chief Research and Strategy Officer (CRSO),
Chief Editor and Senior Advisor
November 21, 2023
One page summary
What is the message?
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), labeled by the World Health Organization as the “silent pandemic,” is a rapidly escalating global health crisis exacerbated by climate change.
The increasing prevalence of drug-resistant superbugs poses severe threats to human health, economies, and societies worldwide.
What are the key points?
AMR Crisis Overview:
AMR is a growing global health crisis where microorganisms develop resistance to drugs designed to combat them, leading to a rise in untreatable infections.
Global Impact:
The World Health Organization identifies AMR as one of the top 10 global threats, causing an estimated 1.3 million deaths annually, with projections indicating a dramatic increase without urgent intervention.
Connection to Climate Change:
Research highlights the role of climate change in intensifying the AMR crisis. Rising temperatures contribute to the spread of antibiotic-resistant genes, extreme weather events disrupt disease patterns, and increased pollution fosters conditions for bug resistance.
Economic and Social Consequences:
The economic burden of AMR is substantial, costing the EU member states around 1.5 billion euros annually, not only in health expenses but also in loss of productivity. Urgent action is crucial to prevent higher costs and increased poverty, especially in low-income countries.
Industry Challenges:
The development of antimicrobials, crucial in fighting AMR, faces challenges due to the high risk and expense involved. Industry leaders hesitate to invest in antibiotic research, preferring more profitable areas, posing a significant obstacle to overcoming the crisis.
Call to Action:
Policymakers and industry leaders need to recognize the urgent association between the climate crisis and AMR. The upcoming COP28 climate conference is seen as an opportunity to address this link and foster international cooperation.
Statistics
- Approximately 1.3 million people die annually due to resistant pathogens, a number set to increase dramatically without intervention.
- The EU member states face an annual cost of around 1.5 billion euros due to the health and productivity impact of AMR.
Examples
- A microbiologist preparing bacterial colonies illustrates the ongoing research focused on finding regulatory mechanisms for infection and immunity in bacteria.
- Uncontrolled wildfires in Greece serve as a real-time example of the climate crisis, potentially contributing to the spread of AMR.
Conclusion
The convergence of the “silent pandemic” of AMR and the impact of climate change poses a grave threat to global health.
Urgent, collaborative efforts are needed to address the economic, social, and environmental factors driving the spread of drug-resistant superbugs.
DEEP DIVE
This summary was written based on the article “The silent pandemic: A hotter world makes it harder to stop the spread of deadly superbugs”, published by CNBC and written by Sam Meredith on November 20, 2o23.
To read the original publication, access https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/20/amr-a-hotter-world-makes-it-harder-to-stop-the-spread-of-superbugs.html
