London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

The report estimates that AMR-related healthcare costs top £28 billion annually across OECD countries and that resistance to third-line antimicrobials could increase by 2.1 times by 2035 without action. It also outlines the cost effectiveness of 11 One Health policy interventions aimed at reducing AMR impacts and associated costs. The focus on a One Health approach is driven partly by evidence that interventions that span the human, animal, environment interface deliver the highest return on investment. The OECD estimates that for every 1 USD spent on One Health interventions produces 5 USD in benefits via reduced healthcare costs and increased workforce productivity.  

OECD isn’t the only organisation prioritising a One Health Approach to tackle AMR. In August, Africa CDC and the East, Central, and Southern Africa Health Community convened a meeting of over 70 experts from 15 African countries to discuss a One Health approach to AMR stewardship and the design and roll-out of new AMR surveillance systems across the region.   

Here in the UK, the Animal and Plant Health Agency, Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science, and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate formed the first AMR Reference centre to be awarded the title “Food and Agriculture Organisation Reference Centre for AMR” by the FAO of the United Nations. That status was recently renewed through 2027 in recognition of their excellent work in One Health and AMR. In addition, the second round of the Fleming Fund, a barrier-breaking £210 million investment in global AMR surveillance, has been announced. The Fund will support fellows, many of whom will specialise in One Health, as well as strengthen genomics laboratory capacity in many countries, allowing for new insights into the transmission of resistant bacteria between animals, humans, and the environment.  

Across the pond in the United States, experts and organisations from disciplines spanning medicine, the environment, infectious disease, and public health are lobbying Senators to include public health protections in the Animal Drug User Fee Act bill with the goal of limiting the overuse of antibiotics in the livestock industry.