Antimicrobial resistance: A global threat
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when pathogens (e.g. bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites) that cause infections no longer respond to the drugs used to treat them, an issue that poses a significant global public health threat.
AMR not only threatens human health, AMR also threatens animal and plant health, our food security, and economic stability. Addressing AMR is urgent, to prevent its development and spread.
UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on AMR
This September, AMR will feature during the UN General Assembly at a UN High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (UN HLM AMR).
The theme of the meeting is “Investing in the present and securing our future together: Accelerating multi-sectoral global, regional and national actions to address Antimicrobial Resistance.”
In this guide, we explore the significance of AMR reaching the global political agenda and consider what may be expected from the upcoming meeting.
What is a United Nations High-Level Meeting?
The United Nations (UN) is an international organisation comprising 193 member states, founded almost 80 years ago to “tackle global challenges and deliver results for those most in need.”
Held annually, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the organisation’s decision-making body. The main event of the UNGA is the General Debate, followed by various Summits and high-level meetings.
The purpose of these high-level meetings is to raise awareness and establish consensus among world leaders on critical global issues.
The 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly will open on Tuesday 10th September 2024, in New York. The UN High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance will take place on Thursday 26th September.
Why is AMR a priority for the United Nations?
AMR aligns with the UN’s mission as a global challenge which impacts those most vulnerable. The health and prosperity of humans, animals, plants and the environment are all challenged by AMR.
The 2016 O’Neill Report warned that, without intervention, AMR could cause 10 million deaths per year by 2050 – equivalent to the entire populations of Portugal or Hungary.
Data gathered from 2019 suggests that we are already well on the way to reaching this frightening statistic. The global burden of death known to be as a direct result of bacterial infections that are resistant to antibiotics was estimated to be 1.27 million, but the number of deaths in which AMR has been associated was nearer 5 million.
The impact of AMR varies by geographical region, with the highest burden associated with regions that lack clean water, have poor sanitation, and/or stable health infrastructure. Western Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest AMR-related death rate at 27.3 deaths per 100,000, compared with 6.5 deaths per 100,000 in Australasia.
AMR on the global political agenda
AMR appeared on the global political agenda during the first United Nations General Assembly high-level meeting on AMR in 2016, which led to the 2016 Political Declaration on AMR (A/RES/71/3). This declaration recognised the multifactorial nature of AMR and the necessity for a collaborative One Health approach.
As a result, world leaders committed to developing national action plans to tackle AMR. These are based on the WHO Global Action Plan on AMR, which has five main objectives:
- To improve awareness and understanding of AMR.
- To strengthen surveillance and research of AMR.
- To reduce incidence of infections.
- To optimise antimicrobial use in human and animal health.
- To ensure sustainable investment in new therapeutics, diagnostics, and vaccines.
Our role in tackling antimicrobial resistance
QuantuMDx is committed to addressing the global problem of AMR through innovative diagnostic solutions.
Developing rapid and accurate diagnostic tools provides healthcare professionals with precise information, which is crucial for prescribing the most effective treatments. By reducing the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials, our rapid solutions not only aid immediate patient care, but also support broader public health.
QuantuMDx’s commitment to improving diagnostic capabilities directly aligns with global efforts to combat AMR, enhancing our collective ability to manage and mitigate this pressing health threat.
What can we expect from the 2024 meeting?
According to the Global Leaders Group on AMR (GLG-AMR) “the high-level meeting will review the response to AMR at all levels across the human, animal, plant and environment sectors, and identify challenges, gaps and potential solutions.”
This year’s meeting is an opportunity for world leaders to commit to tangible actions and measurable outcomes that support the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
QuantuMDx will closely follow the lead-up to the meeting in September. Stay updated by following us on social media for the latest news about this important global health topic.
