Matej Mikulic
Research expert covering health, pharma & medtech
Antimicrobial resistance in Italy - Statistics & Facts
Since their discovery, antibiotics have had a significant impact on human health, as they have contributed heavily to reducing mortality rates and increasing quality of life. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the natural process in which micro-organisms enhance their resistance to antimicrobials, is considered a major global health threat by the World Health Organization (WHO). Although AMR is an unavoidable process, the frequent misuse of antimicrobials is accelerating the development of antimicrobial resistance, reducing the effectiveness of treatments, increasing the mortality due to infections, and increasing healthcare and social costs. In 2019, deaths directly attributable to AMR worldwide amounted to 1.27 million, while deaths associated with AMR reached almost five million. During that period, the highest rates of death associated and attributable to AMR were recorded in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
