What is antimicrobial resistance and how can we help prevent it?

Antimicrobial resistance has consistently been named by the World Health Organization as one of the top 10 global health threats, with current estimates of over 700,000 deaths per year due to antimicrobial resistance, expecting to reach 10 million by 2050.

Antimicrobials refer to a category of medicines used to prevent and treat infections in humans, animals and plants including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics. So what exactly is antimicrobial resistance? What is causing it to become increasingly worse? And what can be done to prevent it? To answer these questions we're joined by Medical Microbiologist, Dr Rod James.

Show notes:

AURA 2023: Fifth Australian report on antimicrobial use and resistance in human health released this month by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.

National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey (NAPS) celebrated 10 years this week.

WHO Collaborating Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance located at the Doherty Institute works in the Western Pacific region to build capacity in surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship activities.