SPOTLIGHT - ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health threat. It occurs when pathogens (such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites) do not respond to antimicrobial medicines resulting in infections that are harder or impossible to treat. It is estimated that bacterial AMR was associated with 4.7 millions deaths each year.
This page brings together creative and interactive activities that explore AMR, raise awareness and encourage a better understanding of the challenge.
THE STORY OF PENCILLIN
An accidental discovery... A breakthrough that was almost lost to history... A medicine that saved lives...Discover the remarkable story of how penicillin went from a chance observation to a discovery that transformed modern medicine [swipe or use arrow keys to turn pages]
WHAT IS AMR? EXPLAINER VIDEO
What happens when the medicines used to treat infections stop working? This short video gives a broad overview of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), why it is a growing global health threat, what drives it, and what can be done to prevent it.
CAN YOU SPOT THE DRIVERS OF AMR?
AMR is a One Health challenge, shaped by the interconnected health of people, animals and the environment. Explore the picture below and identify potential drivers of AMR. How many can you find? Click “Show answers” at the bottom right, then select each numbered dot to reveal the explanation.
ARE YOU READY FOR A CHALLENGE?
Resistance Run is a fun and exciting arcade game that puts antimicrobial resistance into action. Race against the clock, get tested, choose the right antimicrobial, take down susceptible pathogens and avoid resistant ones. Along the way, PPE and hand-hygiene power-ups can help keep you in the game.
Fast, simple and interactive, Resistance Run is a fun way to explore key ideas behind AMR.
STOP THE RESISTANCE!
The only resistance worth putting on repeat!
"Stop the Resistance" is an electronic dance track from the "Public Health Beats" music album. The track uses music to raise awareness of antimicrobial resistance and share key messages in a memorable way.
Public health beats is available on all major streaming platforms.
RESOURCES
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World Health Organization: Antimicrobial Resistance [Fact Sheet] Available here
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Antimicrobial resistance. Available here
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World Health Organization: Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS). Available here
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World Health Organization: Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance. WHO Geneva, 2015
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World Health Organization. Antimicrobial Stewardship Interventions: A Practical Guide. Copenhagen, Denmark: WHO Regional Office for Europe; 2021.
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GBD 2021 Antimicrobial Resistance Collaborators. Global burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance 1990-2021: a systematic analysis with forecasts to 2050. Lancet. 2024;404(10459):1199-1226.