Thu Sep 19 06:21:29 UTC 2024: ## Antibiotic Resistance to Claim Nearly 40 Million Lives by 2050, Study Warns

**Seattle, Washington:** A new study published in The Lancet predicts a grim future: almost 40 million people could die from antibiotic-resistant infections by 2050. The research, conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, paints a stark picture of a growing global health crisis.

The study analyzed data from 204 countries, revealing that over a million deaths related to antimicrobial resistance occur annually. While deaths among children under five have decreased significantly since 1990, the number of deaths among individuals aged 70 and older has increased dramatically, and is expected to double by 2050. This shift is attributed to the aging global population and increased susceptibility to infections among older adults.

“Older adults are disproportionately affected by AMR deaths,” said Dr. Christopher J. L. Murray, senior author of the study. “It’s a big problem, and it is here to stay.”

The study projects that South Asia will bear the brunt of the crisis, with an estimated 11.8 million deaths due to AMR by 2050. Significant numbers are also expected in sub-Saharan Africa.

Dr. Kevin Ikuta, lead author of the study, emphasized the role of antibiotic overuse and misuse in driving bacterial resistance. He advocated for improved antibiotic stewardship to ensure access to antibiotics while controlling their excessive use.

Dr. Ishani Ganguli, a primary care physician at Harvard Medical School, stressed the importance of avoiding unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions, particularly for viral infections like the common cold. She advocates for alternative treatments and educating patients about the potential side effects of antibiotics.

The study calls for urgent action to combat antibiotic resistance, including improved stewardship, infection prevention measures, and development of new antibiotics. Failure to address this threat could have catastrophic consequences for global health.

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