A new global analysis predicts that by 2050, more than 39 million people will die from superbugs, with older individuals being at particular risk. The study, conducted by the Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance (Gram) Project and published in the Lancet, examined trends in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across 204 countries and territories.
While deaths linked to drug resistance are declining among very young children, they are increasing among older populations. By 2050, it is forecasted that 1.91 million people worldwide will die each year directly due to AMR, up from 1.14 million in 2021. Overall, AMR will play a role in 8.2 million deaths annually, up from 4.71 million.
Dr. Mohsen Naghavi, the study’s author, emphasized the significance of AMR as a global health threat that has been growing for decades. He highlighted the importance of improving prevention of infections, access to healthcare, and the development of new antibiotics to address this issue.
The study also revealed a significant decline in AMR deaths among children under 5, while deaths among older age groups, particularly those over 70, are on the rise. This trend is attributed to the aging population being more vulnerable to infections, having more chronic diseases, and being more likely to experience drug-resistant bacteria.
Global leaders are set to discuss antimicrobial resistance at the upcoming UN General Assembly meeting in New York, with a focus on stepping up action to reduce AMR deaths by 10% by 2030. The study projects that South Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, as well as parts of southern and eastern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, will experience the highest number of deaths from AMR in the future. The findings underscore the urgent need for global efforts to address the growing threat of superbugs.
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