New resource to inform policy, action on antimicrobial resistance

More than 1600 people in Australia die each year from an antimicrobial resistance (AMR) infection. Globally, AMR is directly responsible for 1.27 million deaths.

These numbers are increasing.

CSIRO has launched a new online resource, AMR Action and Insights, to halt the rising death rate and economic burden of AMR in Australia by 2030.

The resource aims to improve outcomes and provide evidence-based, accessible information to inform policy and action to reduce the impact of AMR on human, animal and environmental health. It had been developed as part of CSIRO’s Minimising AMR initiative that was co-created with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and the Department of Health and Aged Care.

Fragmented knowledge and misconceptions

Professor Branwen Morgan, Lead of Minimising Antimicrobial Resistance at CSIRO, said the site aims to deliver evidence-based and engaging content to inform action on AMR in the public and private sector.

“Fragmented knowledge and misconceptions about AMR are major issues hindering effective action. The new website aims to bridge these gaps and foster a more unified understanding of AMR,” Morgan said.

“Information is often siloed within different sectors, leading many people to believe that AMR doesn’t affect them or that they can’t do anything about it. They might think it’s not relevant because they don’t take antimicrobials, or they mistakenly believe there are new drugs in the pipeline that will solve the problem.

“This project seeks to break down these silos by showcasing perspectives from all sectors. We have taken a One Health approach, which recognises the interconnection between people, animals and the environment.”

The site includes articles that consider the role of biosecurity and other risk-mitigation tools such as artificial intelligence in addressing AMR, and how the environment is often overlooked in conversations about the emergence and spread of AMR.

Professor Trevor Lithgow, from the Monash University Centre to Impact AMR, said the issue of drug-resistant organisms needs greater advocacy and a range of solutions, which the site will reflect.

“AMR Action and Insights has a broad call to action that extends beyond drug discovery and clinical considerations,” Lithgow said.

“It draws in people and policymakers in an engaging way and widens the stakeholder ‘net’ by drawing the not-so-obvious links between systems and processes that drive AMR.”

Leading the way

Morgan said the issue of AMR is steadily gaining more attention in Australia and the upcoming UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on AMR in New York on 26 September 2024 will underscore the global efforts to tackle this pressing problem.

“We hope AMR Action and Insights will highlight how Australia can be a leading player in mitigating AMR and encourage decision-makers at all levels to consider AMR as a critical factor in their activities,” Morgan said.

The initiative includes the following partners: AAMRNet; CSIRO; Department of Health and Aged Care; Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; the Fleming Initiative; University of Technology, Sydney; the National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship; SAAFE CRC; Monash Centre to Impact AMR; and the University of Queensland.

Image credit: iStock.com/lexashka