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Silent Pandemic: AMR Threatens More Than Cancer by 2050
16 Feb
Summary
- Antimicrobial resistance could kill more people than cancer by 2050.
- Germs share defense strategies, making antibiotics less effective.
- Unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions accelerate germ evolution.
A new global health crisis, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), is emerging and could lead to more deaths than cancer by 2050. Scientists and public health officials are warning that AMR is a silent pandemic, largely ignored despite its potential to be more deadly than cancer.
Germs are developing sophisticated defense mechanisms against antibiotics and antifungals, a natural evolutionary process amplified by human actions. These resistant strains can share their survival strategies, rendering once-effective treatments obsolete. Modern medicine, which relies heavily on antibiotics for life-saving procedures, faces a significant challenge as these drugs become less effective.
The misuse and overuse of antibiotics, including prescriptions for viral infections where they are ineffective, are major contributors to accelerated resistance. Studies suggest environmental factors like microplastics and air pollution may also play a role. Efforts to combat AMR focus on reducing unnecessary antibiotic use, promoting hygiene, and developing adaptive treatments like phage-based medicines.
