The global death toll from infections resistant to treatment could surge by nearly 70% by 2050, according to a new study, highlighting the escalating superbug crisis. The study, published in The Lancet, estimates that from 2025 to 2050, over 39 million deaths could be directly linked to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The World Health Organization has identified AMR as a top global health threat, exacerbated by the misuse of antimicrobial medications in humans, animals, and plants.
Lead author Dr. Chris Murray, director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, emphasized the worsening trend in AMR prevalence. The researchers analyzed data from 1990 through 2021 across 204 countries, revealing that while AMR deaths have fallen by over 50% among children under five, they have increased by more than 80% in adults aged 70 and older—a trend expected to continue.
The study identified methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as the most significant contributor to AMR-related deaths. Projections indicate that if current conditions persist, AMR could cause 1.9 million global deaths annually by 2050, with South Asia, Latin America, and sub-Saharan Africa being the hardest hit regions due to limited access to quality healthcare.
However, the study also suggests that improving global healthcare could avert 92 million cumulative deaths between 2025 and 2050, while new, potent drugs could potentially avoid 11 million deaths. Dr. Steffanie Strathdee, an expert in global health sciences, stressed that alternatives like phage therapy could reduce reliance on antibiotics, offering hope in addressing the AMR crisis.
