Fighting the silent pandemic: Collaboration is our strongest weapon against antimicrobial resistance

Infectious diseases continue to pose a significant threat to global health, but this challenge is now worsened by the rise of antimicrobial resistance. As microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites adapt to survive treatments that were once effective against them, everyday infections are becoming harder to treat. Routine medical procedures, like surgeries and chemotherapy, are growing riskier.

In 2019, AMR was directly attributable to 1.27 million deaths worldwide. Projections suggest that if current trends continue, it could contribute to as many as 39.1 million more deaths between now and 2050. (1) Unlike outbreaks that erupt suddenly and visibly, AMR is a slow-moving crisis, often overlooked despite its growing impact. Tackling this global health issue will require cooperation across borders and sectors, bringing together scientists, health professionals, policymakers and the public to develop sustainable solutions.

One Health in action: Understanding our interconnected world 

The One Health approach is essential for tackling AMR precisely because it recognizes that human, animal and environmental health are deeply connected. (2) We cannot address resistance by focusing on just one part of this intricate system. Recent studies, including articles published in a virtual special issue on One Health that I edited for the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, emphasize the significance of this interdisciplinary approach. (3)

Antimicrobials are used not only in people but are also used extensively in livestock and agriculture, creating a dynamic where resistance can readily emerge in one area and rapidly spread to others. (4, 5) For instance, resistant bacteria from farm animals can contaminate food or water, eventually affecting humans. Moreover, the environment itself acts as a significant reservoir for these resistance genes, underlining why a fragmented approach is insufficient. Actively managing these critical connections, such as by optimizing antibiotic use in agriculture and implementing robust wastewater treatment, is vital to effectively curbing the spread of resistance globally. Achieving this often relies on sophisticated computational analysis of genomic data to precisely track resistance genes across different reservoirs and understand their evolution. (6, 7)

Diverse stakeholders, united front: A shared goal against AMR 

To truly fight AMR, we need a united front where many different groups work together with a shared goal. This goes beyond just doctors and scientists. It includes policymakers and governments who create laws and fund research, pharmaceutical and biotech companies who develop new medicines and tests, and farmers and agricultural experts who ensure smart antibiotic use in animals.

Environmental scientists are vital for tracking resistance in nature, with computational biologists and bioinformaticians providing the crucial analytical backbone for understanding data on resistance spread and evolution, while public health officials lead efforts to monitor and respond to outbreaks. All health care professionals must use antibiotics wisely and prevent infections, and the public plays a crucial role by understanding when antibiotics are needed and practicing good hygiene.

True collaboration means these groups must actively share genomic and epidemiological data through robust bioinformatics platforms, collaborate on research, participate in joint awareness campaigns and collectively advocate for global solutions. It’s through such coordinated efforts that we can build robust, adaptive strategies against this global threat. (8, 9)

IDSA’s role in fostering collaboration 

IDSA plays an instrumental role in fostering this essential collaboration. The organization consistently leverages its influence to advocate for critical policies, such as the PASTEUR Act in the United States (10), which aims to stimulate antibiotic innovation and provide more funds for antimicrobial stewardship programs. Every year, IDSA advocates for increased funding for AMR surveillance, prevention, research and innovation at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority.

Beyond policy, IDSA actively works with other health organizations and professional bodies, creating vital forums and spaces where diverse experts can share insights, coordinate efforts and develop consensus-driven solutions. This convening power is crucial for bridging the communication and operational gaps that often exist between different sectors.

IDSA acts as a key leader in marshalling the collective expertise and influence needed for our shared fight against resistance. It also provides valuable education and training for health care professionals and actively supports and shares cutting-edge research on AMR. (11, 12) Even the Science Speaks blog itself serves as a platform to share different viewpoints and encourage important discussions, all aimed at fostering a united front against AMR.

Actionable insights and future Outlook: Our collective path against AMR 

The serious and ongoing threat of AMR demands continuous and coordinated effort from everyone. For infectious diseases experts and public health officials, this means promoting careful antibiotic use, improving surveillance and advocating for necessary resources. For policymakers, it means prioritizing funding for AMR initiatives, including strengthening bioinformatics infrastructure for surveillance and encouraging new drug development. (13) For everyday citizens, it means understanding that antibiotics are not a cure-all, practicing good hygiene and getting vaccinated to prevent infections.

While the challenge is immense, we are not without hope. By fully embracing the One Health approach and strengthening collaboration across all sectors, guided by science and a common goal, we can slow the tide of resistance, protect our lifesaving medicines and safeguard global health for future generations.

Acknowledgement: This blog post was written by the author, using AI assistance for grammar correction and language refinement.

References 

1. Naghavi M, Vollset SE, Ikuta KS, Swetschinski LR, Gray AP, Wool EE, Aguilar GR, Mestrovic T, Smith G, Han C, Hsu RL. Global burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance 1990–2021: a systematic analysis with forecasts to 2050. The Lancet. 2024;404(10459):1199-1226.
2. Hernando-Amado S, Coque TM, Baquero F, Martínez JL. Defining and combating antibiotic resistance from One Health and Global Health perspectives. Nature Microbiology. 2019;4(9):1432-42.
3. Special issue, One Health. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents.
4. Etienne F, Lurier T, Yugueros-Marcos J, Mateus AL. Is use of antimicrobial growth promoters linked to antimicrobial resistance in food-producing animals? A systematic review. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents. 2025;66(2):107505.
5. Zhang T, Nickerson R, Zhang W, Peng X, Shang Y, Zhou Y, Luo Q, Wen G, Cheng Z. The impacts of animal agriculture on One Health—Bacterial zoonosis, antimicrobial resistance, and beyond. One Health. 2024;18:100748.
6. Wheeler NE, Price V, Cunningham-Oakes E, Tsang KK, Nunn JG, Midega JT, Anjum MF, Wade MJ, Feasey NA, Peacock SJ, Jauneikaite E. Innovations in genomic antimicrobial resistance surveillance. The Lancet Microbe. 2023;4(12):e1063-70.
7. Sherry NL, Lee JY, Giulieri SG, Connor CH, Horan K, Lacey JA, Lane CR, Carter GP, Seemann T, Egli A, Stinear TP. Genomics for antimicrobial resistance—progress and future directions. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. 2025;69(5):e01082-24.
8. Mudenda S, Chabalenge B, Daka V, Mfune RL, Salachi KI, Mohamed S, Mufwambi W, Kasanga M, Matafwali SK. Global strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance: a one health perspective. Pharmacology & Pharmacy. 2023;14(8):271-328.
9. Velazquez-Meza ME, Galarde-López M, Carrillo-Quiróz B, Alpuche-Aranda CM. Antimicrobial resistance: One health approach. Veterinary World. 2022;15(3):743.
10. Aziz, R. U.N. High-Level Meeting on AMR: Market-shaping tools like PASTEUR Act needed, leaders say. Science Speaks blog. Oct. 1, 2024.
11. Antimicrobial resistance. Infectious Diseases Society of America.
12. Antimicrobial stewardship. Infectious Diseases Society of America.
13. Salam MA, Al-Amin MY, Salam MT, Pawar JS, Akhter N, Rabaan AA, Alqumber MA. Antimicrobial resistance: A growing serious threat for global public health. Healthcare. 2023;11(13):1946.