A new study has delivered a terrifying warning: over the next 25 years, infections that are resistant to antibiotics, known as “superbugs,” could kill more than 39 million people around the world. Another 169 million people might die from related issues. This research, published this week in The Lancet medical journal, paints a grim picture of the future if we don’t take action.
What Are Superbugs?
Superbugs are germs that have become stronger and more dangerous because they’ve developed resistance to the medicines we use to treat them. This means that antibiotics, which are supposed to kill bacteria, might not work anymore. As these germs get tougher, infections become harder to treat and can spread more easily.
What Does the Study Reveal?
The study predicts that deaths from these superbugs will surge nearly 70% by 2050 compared to current levels. Right now, around 1.14 million people die each year from these infections. By 2050, that number could jump to 1.91 million annually. Overall, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could contribute to 8.2 million deaths each year by the middle of the century, up from 4.71 million today.
Who Will Be Affected the Most?
Older adults are expected to see the biggest rise in AMR-related deaths. For people over 70, the death toll could increase by a staggering 146% by 2050, from about 512,000 in 2021 to 1.3 million. On a brighter note, there’s been a significant drop in AMR-related deaths among young children. For children under 5, deaths have already halved from 1990 to 2022 and are expected to drop even further in the coming decades.
Why Is This Happening?
The study looked at data from hospitals and health records across 204 countries and territories. It found that the temporary drop in AMR deaths during the Covid-19 pandemic was likely due to lockdowns and restrictions that reduced the spread of infections.
Which Regions Are Most at Risk?
South Asian countries like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, as well as parts of sub-Saharan Africa, are expected to have the highest death rates from AMR by 2050.
What Can We Do?
The study serves as a wake-up call about the urgent need to address this growing crisis. Without better strategies to tackle antimicrobial resistance, we could face a future where common infections become deadly again.
Stay informed and take action now to help prevent this looming health disaster.
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