Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has launched a new resource that provides evidence-based information to inform policy and action to reduce the impact of antimicrobial resistance on human, animal and environmental health.
Now live, AMR Action and Insights was developed as part of CSIRO’s minimising AMR initiative. AMR occurs when disease-causing microbes evolve to resist the effects of medicines, such as antibiotics, to kill them. The growing global problem is accelerated by the inappropriate use (overuse, underuse, and misuse) of antimicrobials in humans and animals.
Data shows more than 1,600 people in Australia die each year from an AMR infection, and the numbers are on the rise.
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.
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.
“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,” Professor 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.”
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,” Professor Lithgow said.
“It draws in people and policy makers in an engaging way and widens the stakeholder ‘net’ by drawing the not-so-obvious links between systems and processes that drive AMR.”
Visit AMR Action and Insights here
