[Source – economictimes.indiatimes]
A recent global study has raised alarming concerns about antimicrobial resistance (AMR), predicting that superbugs could claim over 39 million lives by 2050. The study highlights that older people, particularly those over 70, are especially vulnerable to these drug-resistant infections.
The Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance (GRAM) Project, published in The Lancet, conducted the study. It reveals a troubling increase in AMR-related deaths, despite a decline in mortality among younger children due to improved vaccination and hygiene practices. By mid-century, 1.91 million people globally could die annually from AMR-related infections, a steep rise from the 1.14 million reported in 2021. Additionally, AMR is projected to play a role in 8.2 million deaths each year by 2050, up from 4.71 million in 2021.
Researchers analyzed data from 204 countries, producing forecasts from 1990 to 2050. The report underscores the urgent need for better infection prevention measures, enhanced healthcare access, and the development of new antibiotics to combat this growing threat.
The Growing Threat for Older Populations
The study sheds light on the specific vulnerability of the elderly population to AMR. According to the research, while AMR-related deaths among children under five have significantly decreased, dropping from 488,000 in 1990 to 193,000 in 2022, the death toll for older age groups is rising. Among those over 70, AMR fatalities have surged by 80% over the past three decades, with projections showing a 146% increase by 2050. The total number of deaths in this age group is expected to reach 1.3 million by 2050, compared to 512,353 in 2021.
Dr. Tomislav Meštrović, an assistant professor at University North in Croatia and an affiliate associate professor at the University of Washington’s Institute of Health Metrics (IHME), noted that ageing populations are particularly susceptible to AMR-related infections. “Older individuals often require more hospital care, where they are exposed to increasingly drug-resistant bacteria,” Meštrović said. He further explained that older adults are prone to developing chronic diseases, which weaken their immune systems, making them more susceptible to infections. Vaccines are often less effective in the elderly, and antibiotic treatments can lead to more adverse reactions.
Global Leaders Take Action Against AMR
As the threat of AMR grows, global leaders are gearing up to address the issue at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in New York. The assembly will focus on renewing commitments to tackle AMR, with campaigners calling for a target to reduce AMR deaths by 10% by 2030.
Dr. Mohsen Naghavi, the study’s lead author from the IHME, emphasized the importance of antimicrobial medicines in modern healthcare. He expressed concern about the increasing resistance to these drugs, calling AMR a “significant global health threat for decades.”
Regions like South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa are expected to see the highest growth in AMR-related deaths. However, these regions could also benefit the most from improved healthcare measures, particularly in infection care and broader antibiotic access. Although AMR deaths in 2021 saw a slight reduction compared to 2019, largely due to fewer infections during the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers caution that this decline is likely temporary.
As AMR continues to escalate, the study urges governments, healthcare systems, and researchers worldwide to take immediate action. With older populations particularly at risk, the findings serve as a crucial reminder of the need for comprehensive efforts to prevent and mitigate the impact of antimicrobial resistance before it claims millions more lives.
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