One Health approaches to tackling antimicrobial resistance.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases
• One Health

Background:

• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant and escalating threat to global human health.
• Sustained access to effective antimicrobial treatments is crucial for those in need, as recognized by the UN General Assembly.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline strategies for reducing the demand for antimicrobial drugs in the absence of a robust pipeline of new pharmaceutical agents.
• To emphasize the importance of a coordinated One Health approach involving human, livestock, and environmental sectors.

Main Methods:

• The study reviews existing approaches to minimize antimicrobial drug demand.
• It highlights the promotion of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) and Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
• It also discusses improved infection control in healthcare and reduced antimicrobial use in agriculture.

Main Results:

• Minimizing demand is presented as a critical strategy to alleviate pressure on existing antimicrobial drugs.
• Key interventions include promoting WASH and UHC, enhancing healthcare infection control, and curtailing agricultural antimicrobial use.

Conclusions:

• A coordinated One Health strategy is essential for effectively combating antimicrobial resistance.
• Action across human, livestock, and environmental sectors is required to reduce antimicrobial demand and preserve treatment efficacy.