Every action counts: Global study shows countries can reverse increasing antibiotic resistance

The study, published in PLOS Global Public Health, is the first to assess the level of government intervention needed to improve the worsening situation on antibiotic resistance across 73 countries. The researchers find strong associations between the level of action a country reports and whether antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance increased during a 16-year period in the start of the 21st century.

Measures that curb resistance

A wide set of measures like monitoring antibiotic use, improving hospital hygiene, coordinating action across human health and livestock production, and investing in new treatment strategies are all likely to be needed to curb resistance at the national level.

“Too often, we hear that antibiotic resistance is an inevitable catastrophe beyond our control,” says Jørgensen. “But our study tells a different story—one of hope and agency. If countries act decisively, they can still make a difference,” continues Peter Søgaard Jørgensen.

Countries leading the way

The study shows that a handful of countries are leading the way, taking the necessary level of action to have a better than even chance to see reductions in resistance across the board. In 2016 those countries were the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and UK. Six years later, in 2023, Japan, France, Malaysia and Denmark, have become the countries that are taking the most extensive actions.

“A positive trend is that between 2016 and 2023, 76% of all analysed countries, and 83% of low- and middle-income countries, were reporting to ramp up their actions,” says Peter Søgaard Jørgensen.

Every action counts

Although the findings indicate that high levels of action are needed to achieve reductions in antibiotic resistance, the research also finds that even incremental increases in action can be important. For every improvement in action, the magnitude of increases in resistance goes down and countries get closer to achieving a reduction in levels of resistance.

“The study’s findings send a clear message to policymakers: the time to act is now. By taking evidence-based steps, governments can protect their own citizens while also contributing to the global fight against resistant infections,” says Peter Søgaard Jørgensen.