Antibiotic resistance could lead to over 39 million deaths by 2050
Image credit: roberto_sorin via Unsplash
A new study published in the Lancet journal predicts that antibiotic resistance could cause more than 39 million deaths worldwide by 2050 if immediate action isn't taken. Based on estimates across 204 countries and territories, the study reveals that bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to current antibiotics, treating common infections like pneumonia and diarrhea could become significantly more difficult, leading to higher mortality rates. This growing health crisis highlights the need for global efforts to develop new antibiotics, promote responsible use of existing drugs, and invest in alternative treatments to combat the rising threat of superbugs.
Source
GBD 2021 Antimicrobial Resistance Collaborators (2024). Global burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance 1990-2021: a systematic analysis with forecasts to 2050. Lancet (London, England), 404(10459), 1199–1226. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01867-1
Additional Reading