Climate Change & Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): One Health Perspective Thread 🌍🦠
What is One Health?
It is primarily the recognition of the links between humans, animals & the environment that is crucial to understanding and addressing their complex relationships. In this thread, specifically climate change and AMR.
To do it, we need a #multidisciplinary approach. I will briefly highlight the major areas of concern.
IRL, it is more nuanced.
#ClimateChange #AMR #OneHealth
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This is an incredibly vast topic, so please feel free to join in, especially if I have linked one of your papers or if you are a specialist in any of the areas discussed or any that I may have missed!
I have purposely not added any of mine to try and avoid any perception of bias.
Nothing at all to do with
#ImposterSyndrome 😜
It's a good time for this discussion for several reasons, including people forgetting or being distracted from this pandemic due to COVID-19, current politics etc
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Environmental Changes 🌡️🦠
The rise in temperatures and alterations in precipitation patterns are leading to several significant consequences:
• Accelerated #bacterial growth rates
• Extended survival of #pathogens in the #environment
• Changes in the geographical #distribution of #diseases
• Altered effectiveness of #antimicrobials
#EnvironmentalAMR #ClimateEffects
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147823
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Permafrost Thaw 🧊🔬
The thawing of #permafrost is associated with the release of several significant components, including:
• Ancient #microorganisms that may harbour #antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes
• Accumulated pollutants and #HeavyMetals
• #Methane, which plays a role in accelerating #ClimateChange
• Newly created #ecological niches that may support #pathogens
#PermafrostMelt #EmergingThreats
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-021-01162-y
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Water Quality and AMR 💧🦠
The effects of climate change on water systems are multifaceted:
• Increased #runoff and #flooding contribute to the dissemination of #contaminants.
• Alterations in #aquatic #ecosystems may favour the proliferation of specific #bacterial populations.
• #Wastewater treatment facilities encounter significant challenges.
• #Microplastics may function as #vectors for the transmission of #AMR #genes.
https://doi.org/10.2166/wcc.2022.279
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AMR Death Toll and Projections 📊💀
• 1.27M direct & 4.95M indirect deaths in 2019
• Projected 10M annual deaths by 2050 if unchecked
• Surpasses #HIV/AIDS and #malaria **combined**
• #Economic impact: $100 trillion by 2050
#AMRdeaths #GlobalHealthCrisis
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(22)00087-3/fulltext
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)02724-0/fulltext
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The Impact of Climate Change on Antimicrobial Resistance 🌡️🧫
• Elevated temperatures contribute to increased horizontal gene transfer among microorganisms.
• Extreme weather events disrupt the functionality of #healthcare systems and services.
• Shifts in disease patterns pose challenges to the effective use of antibiotics.
• Environmental pollution exacerbates the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance.
#ClimateAMR #ResistanceSpread
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-012420-105026
https://doi.org/10.1177/2049936121991374
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One Health Surveillance 🔍🌐
The implementation of comprehensive monitoring is imperative:
• Integrated tracking of human, animal, and environmental health.
• The establishment of real-time #datasharing #protocols across relevant sectors.
• UtiliSation of #advanced #molecular techniques for the detection of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is crucial.
• Mapping of climate-related and AMR #hotspots must be undertaken.
#OneHealthSurveillance #GlobalMonitoring
https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.584593
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Objective: In livestock production, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is considered an externality as it is the undesired result of preventive and curative anti...
Interdisciplinary Research and Action 🔬🤝
Key Areas for Collaboration:
• Development of eco-friendly #alternatives to antibiotics
• Establishment of climate-resilient #healthcare systems
• Implementation of #sustainable #agricultural practices
• Advancement of technologies for improved #wastewater treatment
#InterdisciplinaryResearch #AMRSolutions
https://doi.org/10.3390/books978-3-0365-6031-1
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Antibiotic resistance represents one of the most important challenges in the world and involves humans, animals and the environment.For this reason, it is increasingly important to focus our attention on the present scenarios and the future prospects relating to this problem. The One Health approach helps us and can provide the tools to consider the problem from different points of view, also providing alternative solutions to the use of the antibiotic itself.
Call to Action 🚨🌍
Immediate actions are required:
• Implement One Health policies for a #holistic approach to health for humans, animals, & the environment.
• Increase funding for research on AMR & climate change to foster innovative solutions & strategies.
• Enhance #PublicAwareness & #education on AMR & climate change for informed #DecisionMaking.
• Strengthen global #cooperation addressing AMR & climate change.
#ClimateAction #AMRPrevention #GlobalHealth
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance
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AMR is a pressing crisis worsened by climate change. We must act now:
• Pressuring #politicians: Demand prioritisation of One Health policies, and funding research.
• Advocate for responsible antimicrobial use in agriculture and supply chains.
• Making Informed Choices: Support sustainable practices and raise awareness.
Our collective action can help mitigate this global health threat.
Let’s raise our voices and demand change!
#ClimateAction #AMRPrevention #GlobalHealth
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David Wakeham
