Dr Wendy Thompson (Division of Dentistry), Callum Wood (Policy@Manchester) and Professor Michael Bromley (Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics) have written a report for the UK National Preparedness Commission on Mitigating the Risks of Antimicrobial Failure.
The report highlights AMR as a major global threat, affecting human, animal, and plant health. They outline the wide-reaching effects of AMR, including its impact on global food security. Resistant plant pathogens are causing significant crop losses, threatening to worsen as the climate changes. The authors cite the World Bank’s prediction that AMR could push millions into poverty if left unchecked.
Their suggestions focus on tackling AMR through a “One Health” approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health measures. The UK’s National Action Plan (2024-2029) is presented as a key framework for addressing AMR, with goals such as reducing unnecessary antimicrobial use, promoting innovation, and enhancing international partnerships. However, they raise concerns about the UK’s decision to remove AMR from the National Risk Register in 2023. Moreover, AMR should be considered within acute risk scenarios, as it is closely linked with other chronic threats like climate change. They also emphasise the importance of reintegrating AMR into risk management processes to ensure better preparedness and resilience.
Read the full report here: Mitigating the Risks of Antimicrobial Failure
‘One Health Triad’ figure by Thddbfk – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0