Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: A groundbreaking study published in The Lancet projects that nearly 40 million people could die from antibiotic-resistant infections by 2050, with the number of deaths linked to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) rising steadily. The study underscores the urgent need to address the growing threat of AMR, which is making once-treatable infections more difficult to manage and putting routine medical procedures at risk.
“It’s a significant problem, and it’s here to stay,” said Christopher J. L. Murray, director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington and senior author of the study.
Key Findings and Impact of AMR
The research, which analyzed data from over 204 countries, highlights the disproportionate impact of antibiotic resistance on older populations. While deaths among children under five have dropped by over 50% between 1990 and 2021, deaths among adults aged 70 and older have surged by more than 80%. The study predicts that by 2050, AMR-related deaths in seniors will double, making them the most vulnerable age group as the global population ages and becomes more susceptible to infections.
The study also predicts that South Asia will account for a significant portion of global AMR deaths, with around 11.8 million projected fatalities, followed closely by sub-Saharan Africa. This disparity underscores the uneven global burden of AMR, with some regions facing a far greater threat.
Antibiotic Overuse and the Path Forward
Kevin Ikuta, the lead author of the study and assistant professor at UCLA, emphasized the alarming rate at which AMR deaths are expected to increase, averaging around three deaths per minute over the next 25 years. He pointed to the overuse and misuse of antibiotics as a key driver of bacterial resistance, calling for stronger antibiotic stewardship to balance the need for access with the prevention of excessive use.
The research suggests that without immediate action, medical treatments that rely on antibiotics—such as surgeries, cancer treatments, and organ transplants—could become far riskier due to untreatable infections.
The Need for Global Action
Ishani Ganguli, a physician at Harvard Medical School, echoed the study’s call for responsible antibiotic use. She emphasizes educating patients about the risks of unnecessary antibiotics, particularly for viral infections like the common cold. “We need to shift the conversation toward safer, alternative treatments,” she said, promoting remedies like saltwater gargles and humidifiers as better options for viral illnesses.
The study concludes with an urgent plea for global efforts to enhance infection prevention, develop new antibiotics, and improve overall antibiotic management to curb this growing public health threat.
