The rise of antibiotic resistance threatens global health and the economy

Main restaurants

• Bacterial infections are a growing threat due to antibiotic resistance.
• The overuse and misuse of antibiotics has fueled the rise in drug-resistant bacteria, rising from 16 percent to 44 percent between 2001 and 2020.
• Ineffective treatment for common illnesses such as pneumonia or urinary tract infections increases the risk of serious complications and death.

Bacterial infections are a growing threat due to increased resistance antibiotics. Doctors often prescribe antibiotics to fight these infections, but their effectiveness decreases. This phenomenon occurs when bacteria grow and die. This phenomenon occurs when bacteria grow and develop resistance to the drugs that are meant to kill them. Although there is a level of natural resistance due to genetic changes within pathogens, human activities have greatly accelerated this problem.

The overuse and misuse of antibiotics in the treatment of diseases in humans, animals and plants has fueled the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria. Data shows a significant increase in resistance levels to major antibiotics. Between 2001 and 2020, these percentages increased from about 16 percent to 44 percent. This means that almost half of the infections are not effectively treated with commonly prescribed antibiotics.

The effect of tolerance

The situation is particularly worrying because experts predict that some of the most common antibiotics, such as amoxicillin and cephalexin, could disappear within 15 years due to resistance. Ineffective treatment for common illnesses such as pneumonia or urinary tract infections increases the risk of serious complications and death. Antibiotic resistance directly contributes to approximately 1.3 million deaths each year.

Opportunities in dealing with conflict

In addition to the health effects, the rise of antibiotic resistance presents significant challenges for investors. Companies that do not address this problem can suffer reputational damage. However, there are opportunities in this area as well. The development of new antibiotics and other treatment methods provides growth potential for investments.

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