ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE (AMR)
ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE: A GROWING THREAT WE CAN'T IGNORE
The COVID-19 crisis underscored the urgent need for effective treatments against infectious diseases. Many severe cases and deaths involved not just the virus but also secondary bacterial infections, including drug-resistant "superbugs." Antibiotics and antifungals are essential in pandemic response, yet antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is rapidly depleting our supply of effective medicines.
Modern medicine relies on the ability to prevent and treat infections. Antibiotics have been the foundation of surgeries, cancer treatments, and critical care, while vaccines, hygiene, and behavioral changes have helped curb disease spread. However, the antibiotics we depend on are failling. Common infections are becoming harder to treat, while new drug devolpment is stagnating due to weak market incentives and manufacturer bankruptcies.
Unlike the sudden emergence of COVID-19, the rise of AMR is predictable and ongoing.
Voters recognize the urgency: 65% say they are more likely to support candidates who prioritize new antibiotic development. If COVID-19 taught us anything, it's that preparation saves lives. Addressing AMR today is critical to protecting public health now and in future pandemics.
The CDC reports over 2.8 million drug-resistant infections in the U.S. each year, resulting in more than 35,000 deaths.
Faces of AMR
AMR is a threat to all of us, especially those with chronic conditions. Without effective antimicrobial medicines, patients lose treatments for serious infections and face significant risks from many medical services (e.g., organ transplantation, cancer treatments, major surgeries like joint replacements).
Additional Stories: