Bhawna Thakur
North News
Chandigarh, September 17
The Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance (GRAM) Project has predicted that more than 39 million people worldwide could die from antibiotic-resistant infections over the next 25 years, according to a study published in The Lancet. The study, which reviewed trends from 1990 to 2021, marks the first comprehensive global analysis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The study projects that by 2050, AMR could directly cause up to 1.91 million deaths annually, representing a nearly 70% increase compared to 2022. Total annual deaths involving AMR bacteria are expected to rise by 75%, from 4.71 million to 8.22 million. Between 1990 and 2021, AMR-related deaths among children under five increased by 50%, while those among individuals aged 70 and older rose by over 80%. By 2050, AMR deaths among children under five are projected to halve, while those among older adults could more than double.
The findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive interventions, including improved healthcare, enhanced infection prevention, vaccinations, and the development of new antibiotics to tackle the rise in AMR deaths.
“Antimicrobial medicines are fundamental to modern healthcare, and increasing resistance to them is a significant concern. These findings illustrate that AMR has been a major global health issue for decades and is expected to worsen. Understanding the historical trends and future projections of AMR is crucial for making informed decisions to save lives,” said Dr. Mohsen Naghavi, Team Leader of the AMR Research Team at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), University of Washington, USA.
