AMR affects humans, animals, plants and the environment, requiring a coordinated One Health approach. The Hub advances this response through high-level policy forums, technical exchanges, working groups and expert networks, while tracking R&D funding across human, animal, plant and environmental health. These activities strengthen cross-sector collaboration and support coherent, evidence-informed AMR policies and investments.
Antimicrobials, particularly antibiotics, are foundational to modern healthcare and society. They are indispensable for preventing and treating infections in humans, animals and plants, while enabling critical and life-saving medical interventions. Yet their effectiveness is increasingly at risk due to the emergence and spread of drug-resistant microorganisms—a phenomenon known as antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
AMR is rising globally, affecting countries at every income level, with low- and middle-income countries bearing the greatest burden. Because resistant microorganisms can spread between humans, animals, plants and the environment, AMR is a One Health challenge that no sector or country can address alone.
Protecting the effectiveness of antimicrobials requires coordinated action. Through its One Health activities, the Hub strengthens cross-sector collaboration and supports evidence-informed AMR policies and investments.
Through our Dynamic Dashboard, the Hub tracks funding for AMR research across One Health areas to better understand where investment is going and where gaps remain.
The Hub’s One Health Working Group brings together global policymakers and AMR experts to share knowledge and support collaboration across human, animal, and environmental health sectors.
Developed through the AMR Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Platform Action Group on “Stewardship Across the Antimicrobial Lifecycle: A One Health Approach,” the paper brings together experts from human, animal, plant and environmental health, alongside policymakers, researchers and the private sector.
The European Commission Directorate General for Health and Food Safety held the ‘One Health for All, All for One Health Conference ’ to take stock of progress and initiatives thus far and to discuss the future of One Health in Europe. Kristy Marr, Scientific Programme Officer at the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Development Hub, attended the conference in Luxembourg
The Hub was proud to bring together a range of experts across the fields of One Health, climate change and infectious diseases to explore the connections between climate change and AMR through a One Health lens, with a focus on how research can inform solutions for human, animal, and environmental health.
The Quadripartite, in collaboration with the Global AMR R&D Hub, successfully hosted the much-anticipated webinar “Opportunities to Foster the Implementation of the One Health Priority Research Agenda on AMR (OHPRA).” This webinar delved into the best strategies for implementing the AMR-OHPRA and suggested ways to monitor progress.
One Health emphasises the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, recognising that the well-being of each is essential for addressing complex global health challenges, preventing disease outbreaks, and to preserve the intricate web of life on our planet.
AMR extends its reach to environmental health, posing a threat to ecosystems and biodiversity. The widespread release of antibiotics and other antimicrobials into the environment, primarily through agricultural runoff and improper disposal of pharmaceuticals, contributes to the development of resistant microbes in soil, water, and air.
AMR in environmental settings disrupts delicate ecological balances, impacting microbial communities crucial for nutrient cycling and overall ecosystem health. This intricate interplay highlights the urgency of adopting sustainable practices in agriculture, waste management, and pharmaceutical disposal to mitigate the environmental dimensions of AMR.
AMR imperils animal health across diverse species, spanning both livestock and companion animals. The pervasive use of antibiotics and other antimicrobials in veterinary care, agriculture, and aquaculture contributes substantially to the rise of resistant microbial strains. This not only compromises the health and welfare of animals but also poses significant risks to human health through zoonotic transmission and foodborne infections. The One Health approach, emphasises the importance of a unified strategy to address AMR comprehensively. Implementing responsible antimicrobial use in veterinary practices, promoting alternative treatments, and fostering global collaboration are imperative measures to mitigate AMR’s impact on animal health, ensuring sustainable practices that safeguard both animal populations and public health in this intricate web of interconnected ecosystems.
In the realm of plant health, AMR pertains to the ability of plant pathogens to withstand the effects of antimicrobial agents, such as fungicides and bactericides.
Just as in human and animal health, the misuse and overreliance on these agents in agriculture can contribute to the development of resistant strains, compromising their efficacy.
AMR in plant health poses significant challenges to global food security, as it may lead to crop losses, reduced yields, and increased vulnerability to pests and diseases. Sustainable agricultural practices, integrated pest management, and responsible use of antimicrobial agents are crucial in mitigating the impact of AMR on plant health and ensuring a resilient and productive food supply for animals and humans alike.
AMR presents a dire threat to human health, rendering once-effective antibiotics and other antimicrobials ineffective and jeopardising medical advancements – AMR means the potential exists for previously treatable infections to one day become resistant enough to cause widespread morbidity and mortality. In healthcare settings, overuse and misuse of antibiotics and other antimicrobials contribute to the emergence of resistant pathogens, complicating the treatment of common infections and medical procedures. The rise of multidrug-resistant strains intensifies the challenge, posing a grave risk for a vast spectrum of health issues including for routine surgeries, cancer treatments, and childbirth. As antibiotics lose efficacy, the spectre of untreatable infections looms large, potentially leading to increased mortality rates and higher healthcare costs. Addressing AMR in human health demands a comprehensive approach, encompassing prudent antibiotic use, robust infection prevention measures, and continued research to develop innovative therapies, diagnostics, vaccines and other preventives. A global commitment to preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics and other antimicrobials and ensuring their accessibility is paramount to securing a healthier future for humanity.
