Global Superbug Crisis: Deaths Due to Antimicrobial Resistance Could Soar 70% by 2050
Infections resistant to medications could lead to a nearly 70% increase in deaths worldwide by 2050, according to a new study published in The Lancet. The ongoing superbug crisis continues to impose a heavy burden on global health.
The World Health Organization has identified antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a major threat to public health and development. This resistance occurs when pathogens like bacteria and fungi evolve to evade the drugs meant to eliminate them, a result of the misuse and overuse of antimicrobial medications in humans, animals, and plants.
Lead author Dr. Chris Murray from the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation warns that the situation is expected to worsen. The study projects over 39 million deaths directly linked to AMR between 2025 and 2050.
The research team analyzed data from 22 pathogens, 84 pathogen-drug combinations, and 11 infections across 204 countries to estimate deaths and illnesses related to AMR. They found a decline in AMR deaths among children but a significant increase among older adults, with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) causing the most burden.
By 2050, global deaths attributable to AMR could reach 1.9 million, with regions like South Asia, Latin America, and sub-Saharan Africa being most affected due to limited access to quality care. However, with improvements in healthcare and the development of new antibiotics, millions of deaths could be averted.
Dr. Steffanie Strathdee, an expert in global health sciences, shares a personal experience with AMR when her husband nearly died from a superbug infection. She emphasizes the importance of alternative treatments like phage therapy and the need to reduce antibiotic use in livestock and food production to combat AMR.
Despite the challenges posed by antimicrobial resistance, there is hope for the future. By implementing interventions to enhance access to healthcare and reduce antibiotic misuse, the world can work towards reducing the impact of AMR and saving lives.
