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The AMR threat
Imagine a world where a routine infection becomes difficult to treat. Where an ordinary wound can become life threatening. Where surgery carries greater risk because infections can no longer be reliably treated. This is not science fiction. This is the threat of antimicrobial resistance.
- 1.27 million plus
- Deaths directly attributable to bacterial AMR globally in 2019Millions more deaths were associated with it. AMR is already affecting communities today.The Lancet, 2022(opens in a new tab)
- 10 million
- Deaths per year projected by 2050 without stronger actionEarlier global modelling of what happens if resistance continues on its current path.The O'Neill Review on Antimicrobial Resistance, 2016(opens in a new tab)
- 412 billion USD
- Projected annual treatment cost for resistant bacterial infections by 2035Under current levels of action, the economic burden compounds alongside the human one.World Health Organization, 2025(opens in a new tab)
AMR does not come from one behaviour or one sector
It emerges from a complex interaction between microorganisms, people, animals, medicines, health systems, agriculture and the environment. Without effective antimicrobials, modern medicine itself becomes more vulnerable.
- Human health: self medication, incomplete treatment, sharing medicines, and use of antibiotics for viral illness.
- Animal and agrifood systems: antimicrobials used in veterinary medicine, livestock, aquaculture and agriculture, where resistance can move between people, animals, food and the environment.
- Environmental pollution: wastewater, poor sanitation, pharmaceutical and healthcare waste, and agricultural activity create pathways for resistance to develop and spread.
- Climate and environmental change: extreme weather, changing ecosystems and environmental degradation influence infectious disease patterns and the spread of resistant organisms.
AMR threatens more than infections
Without effective antimicrobials, modern medicine itself becomes more vulnerable.
- Surgery: many procedures depend on effective infection prevention and treatment.
- Cancer care: patients may be particularly vulnerable to infection.
- Maternal and newborn health: infections during pregnancy, childbirth and the neonatal period become more dangerous with limited treatment options.
- Transplantation: depends on the ability to prevent and treat infection.
- Routine healthcare: common infections become harder and more expensive to treat.
- Food security: resistance affects animal health, agriculture and food production.
- Economic security: longer illness, healthcare costs, lost productivity and premature death place pressure on households and national economies.
AMR is a One Health challenge
Human health. Animal health. Plant health. Environmental health. These systems are interconnected, and microorganisms and resistant genes do not respect sectoral boundaries.
That is why Zero AMR Initiative uses a One Health approach, working toward solutions that recognise the connections between people, animals, medicines, food systems, water, sanitation, ecosystems and the environment.
The choice is ours
AMR is not inevitable at its current scale. There is a great deal we can still do.
- Prevent infections
- Improve antimicrobial use
- Strengthen WASH
- Improve infection prevention and control
- Protect the environment
- Strengthen surveillance
- Support healthcare workers
- Empower communities
- Improve policy and regulation
- Invest in research and innovation
The time to act is before more medicines stop working.