Antimicrobials—including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitic—save millions of lives, but what happens when these medications can no longer treat the diseases they were made for? Antimicrobial resistance, also known as AMR, occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites no longer respond to medicines. This makes people sicker and increases the spread of infections that are difficult to treat, leading to illness and death.
Why is it important?
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is recognized as one of the top 10 global health threats. It is directly responsible for 1.3 million deaths annually and contributes to an additional 5 million deaths each year (1 million of which are children under five years of age) —more than the combined deaths from HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. This silent and rapidly growing threat is straining health systems worldwide. By 2050, it is projected that over 39 million people could die from antibiotic-resistant infections.
One of the main drivers of AMR is the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in humans, animals, and agriculture, along with inadequate infection prevention and control in healthcare settings.
Why is Immediate Action Needed?
Without urgent intervention, AMR will have severe health, social, and economic consequences. By 2030, AMR could result in a global economic loss of up to €3 trillion annually, potentially pushing 28 million people into extreme poverty by 2050.
Simple infections may become difficult or impossible to treat, leading to prolonged illness. Critical medical procedures, such as surgeries, organ transplants, and cancer treatments, which rely on effective antibiotics to prevent infections, will be at significant risk.
Healthcare systems will face a rise in hard-to-treat infections, increasing the demand for specialised care. The rise in infections will lead to longer hospital stays, higher healthcare costs, reduced productivity, and a significant economic burden on both individuals and society.
What is on the agenda today?
Today’s High-Level Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), held during the UN General Assembly (UNGA) high-level week, is a crucial health-focused event under the theme: “Investing in the present and securing our future together: accelerating multisectoral global, regional, and national actions to address antimicrobial resistance.”
This meeting provides a vital opportunity to respond to the current and growing threats posed by AMR. As a key health highlight at this year’s General Assembly, the meeting will set clear targets for action, focusing on transforming human, animal, and environmental health systems through a collaborative “One Health” approach. The World Health Organization seeks to strengthen the global fight against AMR by promoting financing, accountable governance, enhanced surveillance, and integrating AMR into biodiversity, climate solutions, and pandemic preparedness strategies.
How can you help?
Join the WHO’s “Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is invisible. I am not” campaign, the aim is to bring survivors’ stories to the forefront, urging individuals to pause and contemplate how collective efforts can aid in preventing AMR. By sharing real-life experiences of AMR, WHO aims to illustrate its tangible impact and promote global action. WHO is urging governments, NGOs, civil society groups, youth and student organisations, universities, healthcare professionals, private stakeholders, and the media to act and engage local communities in raising awareness of this global health crisis.
Additional links:
- UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on antimicrobial resistance 2024
- The High-Level Meeting will be livestreamed on UN Web TV
- WHO Campaign: ‘Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is invisible. I am not.’
- Antimicrobial resistance targets: how can we reach them by 2030? (ECDC)
- WHO report on antimicrobial resistance (2023)
