About this Research Topic

Background

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), also referred to as the ‘Silent pandemic’ is one of the leading public health challenges of the century that threatens to impact millions of populations worldwide. It is estimated that by 2050, the number of deaths per year due to AMR could reach up to 10 million. According to the World Bank, in the current scenario, the economic burden due to AMR could lead to a cost of 1 trillion USD per year after 2030. The major contributing factor for this health crisis is the overuse/abuse of antimicrobials in health care and livestock maintenance due to their unregulated access. The situation is adverse in developing countries due to the over-the-counter availability of drugs without prescription. There is an urgent need to design control or remedial strategies across communities through surveillance, education and research.

Antimicrobial Stewardship refers to a coordinated and systematic effort to address antibiotic overuse in the health setting to educate and create awareness on controlled dispense of antibiotics. These programs specifically focused on health care professionals such as doctors, pharmacists and nurse practitioners, have been implemented across many countries to stem the AMR at its roots. In addition, it is equally important to raise awareness among the general population through education and mass communication both in the human and animal health sector reaching out to farmers as well as environmental regulators and practitioners. Efforts have also been put in place to specifically educate the younger generations from school levels to higher education, establishing AMR-centric learning programs and activities.

One of the key objectives of the ‘Global Action Plan’ released by the WHO in 2015 is to improve the awareness and understanding of AMR through effective communication, education and training. This research topic launched on the International Day of Education aims to shed light on the above objective. We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review, Case Report and Opinions focusing on the innovative tools and approaches that can be implemented to educate people and create awareness on AMR.

Keywords: Antimicrobial Resistance, AMR, Education, AMR Awareness, Antimicrobial stewardship, Antibiotics, Resistance

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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