Antimicrobial resistance: A global crisis demanding urgent action

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an emergency that threatens to undo decades of global health progress. Common infections are becoming harder to treat, and rising temperatures caused by climate change are accelerating bacterial growth, worsening the crisis.

Without urgent, coordinated action, we risk a future where even routine medical procedures could be deadly due to untreatable infections. In 2019 alone, antibiotic-resistant infections caused 1.27 million deaths, with the greatest impact on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Future forecasts indicate that deaths caused by AMR will rise steadily in the coming decades, increasing by almost 70 percent by 2050 compared to 2022.

Experts agree that AMR is not just a human health issue—it’s a complex problem that affects agriculture, animal health, human health, and the environment, fueled by resistant bacteria that can move between animals and humans through water, soil, and food systems.

The challenge is complex, but the path forward is clear: we need a cross-sectoral, comprehensive response strategy built upon the One Health approach, which acknowledges the deep connections between human, animal, and environmental health.

For instance, through the USAID-funded Infectious Disease Detection and Surveillance (IDDS) project in Uganda, PATH has partnered to strengthen surveillance and diagnostic systems to identify and contain zoonotic diseases—those that jump between animals and humans, such as anthrax—that fuel antibiotic resistance.

In fact, preventing infections is one of the best tools we have to reduce AMR, and the most effective way to prevent infections is with vaccines. By stopping infections before they start, vaccines help curb the misuse of antibiotics, slowing the spread of resistant bacteria.

PATH’s Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access (CVIA) has been at the forefront of global immunization efforts. As AMR continues to rise, vaccines against diseases like pneumonia, meningitis, and drug-resistant typhoid are more critical than ever. Our work with national governments to introduce typhoid conjugate vaccines has already reached over 64 million children, significantly reducing the need for antibiotics in these communities.

PATH is also working to strengthen laboratory networks and disease surveillance systems through connected diagnostics. By improving the quality and accessibility of medical diagnostic data, we can enhance countries' ability to diagnose infections accurately, monitor resistance patterns, and address AMR effectively. For example, in Tanzania, PATH has helped integrate diagnostic test results from multiple testing sites into a centralized microbiology database, enabling faster and more precise identification of resistant bacteria.

The time to act is now. Governments, international organizations, and the private sector must use precious time, especially in upcoming fora including UN General Assembly and COP29, to make a sustained commitment to addressing AMR.

This must include:

1. Clear strategies to prevent AMR spread through system-wide transformation that strengthens immunization systems, modernizes surveillance systems, improves access to diagnostics, and trains health care workers on appropriate use.
2. Increased investment in research on new antibiotics and the development of a sustainable funding model to incentivize their development.
3. Adequate and sustainable financing for AMR mitigation and response, including improved monitoring and strategic information systems to guide and accelerate response.

At PATH, we are committed to driving this global response through innovation, partnerships, and a focus on health equity. Together, we can stop the rise of antimicrobial resistance and ensure a safer, healthier future for all.