Resistant Infections Could Kill a Million Americans and Cost $65 Billion by 2050

If current data hold true in the years to come, antimicrobial-resistant infection is expected to kill 1 million Americans and cost developed countries $3.5 billion per year by the year 2050. Conversely, according to a new report from the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), 75% of deaths could be averted by investing $2 per person per year in measures to stem resistance. That model presumes that the current growth rate of antibiotic resistance continues unabated—resulting in a resistance to antibiotics that will be 70% higher in 2030 than it is today, according to the report. The trend would affect quality of life, as well, with one of 232 individuals losing a full year of good health because of antimicrobial resistance. The OCED report proposes investing in public health education regarding measures a simple as handwashing and general hygiene practices, but also in helping patients to understand when antibiotics are necessary, when they’re not helpful, and the correct way to take them. As urgent care providers could attest, patients often demand an antibiotic prescription for viral infections that are not susceptible to antibiotics, putting pressure on the provider to write an unnecessary prescription in order to satisfy the patient. Further, some patients stop taking antibiotics as soon as their symptoms subside. All of the above encourages growth of resistance. JUCM has covered this issue extensively from an urgent care perspective. For a good summation of what you can do to stem the growth of antibiotic resistance, read Stopping the Rise of Antibiotic Resistance: An Urgent Care Imperative in our archive.