March 11, 2026
Overview:
When antibiotics were introduced in 1942, the world looked very different. Today, improvements in sanitation, vaccines, and public health have reduced the spread of many infectious diseases in some regions. Yet new challenges have emerged.
Greater access to antibiotics, expanding healthcare systems, and rising hospitalizations have increased both appropriate and inappropriate antibiotic use. Each year, about 7.7 million deaths are associated with bacterial infections. Nearly 5 million of these deaths involve antibiotic-resistant infections. But many of these deaths could potentially be prevented with better strategies. At the same time, global funding for antibiotic research and public health is declining.
In 2024, the UNGA resolution on AMR set a goal to reduce deaths linked to antibiotic resistance by 10 percent. In this article, OHT’s Dr. Ramanan Laxminarayan explores what it will take to achieve this target and ensure continued access to effective antibiotics in the future.
The Question:
How can the world realistically achieve the UNGA’s goal of reducing deaths linked to antibiotic resistance by 10 percent?
The Findings:
The study highlights four major areas of action:
- Prevent infections
Expanding vaccines, sanitation, and infection prevention measures can reduce the number of infections from happening in the first place.
- Use existing antibiotics more wisely
Improving prescribing practices and avoiding unnecessary antibiotic use can help slow the emergence and spread of AMR.
- Improve access to antibiotics
In many parts of the world, people still lack access to effective antibiotics, including newer drugs.
- Develop new antibiotics
Research and development are still important, but new drugs alone will not solve the problem without improving prevention, access, and responsible use.
Dr.Laxminarayan argues that the global response to antibiotic resistance needs better priorities. Too much attention has been placed on developing new drugs, while less attention has been paid to prevention, access, and appropriate use.
He also notes that many national action plans on AMR are too generic and underfunded, which limits their real impact, and suggests that countries should focus on specific actions with measurable results, such as expanding vaccines, improving infection control, and ensuring access to effective antibiotics where they are most needed.
Taking these steps could significantly improve the chances of meeting the global target of reducing deaths from antibiotic resistance by 2030.
Read the article in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy here.
