In focus
2019 has been an important year in the global response to Antimicrobial Resistance. In 2020 Governments and other actors should grasp the existing momentum and ensure that this progress continues. Read more about 4 areas to prioritize in 2020.
ReAct is an independent network dedicated to the problem of antibiotic resistance. ReAct is a global catalyst, advocating and stimulating for global engagement on antibiotic resistance through a broad range of collaborations.
Science
For determining if an antibiotic treatment will be effective and appropriate, a species-level identification is not sufficient. With some bacteria and in some settings, it can be easy to determine which antibiotic is most appropriate. For example, penicillin resistance among Group A streptococci has never been reported, and as a consequence strep throats can be treated successfully without susceptibility testing. But as resistance among bacteria increases, so does the factual need for susceptibility testing in order to find the best available antibiotic. But susceptibility testing is also a central component of surveillance that can feed information about resistance levels both to clinicians to guide empiric therapy, as well as national or international surveillance systems that monitor resistance levels and trends.
Policy
Infections with antibiotic resistant bacteria cause hundreds of thousands of deaths every year. Access to diagnostic tools has been identified, among others by the World Health Organization, as one key factor to slow down resistance development.
Read brief: How can diagnostics be used to lower unnecessary use of antibiotics? A low- and middle-income perspective.
Policy
An increasing number of infections are untreatable due to antimicrobial resistance. The negative impact also extends well beyond health with serious implications on poverty reduction and inequality, animal welfare, the environment, food safety and security.
Policy
Addressing antimicrobial resistance is a multifaceted challenge, but what is often overlooked is reducing the need to use antibiotics. Antibiotics are regularly relied on to treat infections in healthcare facilities and communities that don’t have adequate water, sanitation and hygiene services. Read blog post published on DevPolicy.org. Co-authored by WaterAid Australia, WaterAid Sweden and ReAct.
ReAct Interview
22 November, UNICEF will launch its very first internal technical guidance paper on antimicrobial resistance. The paper maps existing activities across the organization that have a direct or indirect impact on antimicrobial resistance – and – identifies areas for future work where Unicef has a comparative advantage.
To learn more about the processes in developing the paper and the reasons why this work was initiated, ReAct interviewed two key persons involved in the process: Stefan Peterson, Chief of Health, UNICEF, and Alexandre Costa, HIV/AIDS Specialist, UNICEF.
In focus
Here you find links to articles, reports and short videos – to learn more about the impact of Antimicrobial Resistance on Universal Health Coverage, the Sustainable Development Goals and the urgent need to find ways to finance efforts to manage antimicrobial resistance.
The ReAct Toolbox is a user-friendly web-based resource that provides inspiration and guidance to take action and develop national action plans on antibiotic resistance. It is built on what has been done in the past in a variety of settings, and is aligned with ongoing and current initiatives from across the globe.
ReAct is a global network of antibiotic resistance experts with nodes in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America and North America.
In the last 70 years the use of antibiotics has been crucial in improving countless lives and drastically reducing deaths caused by bacterial infections. The increasing development of antibiotic resistance is posing a serious threat to human health and development, the environment and for animal health. Learn more about ReAct’s work on antibiotic resistance here.
Involved in developing your country's National Action Plan? Here you find support for developing a comprehensive plan.
Doctors, pharmacists, veterinarians and other health care professionals - you have the power to take action! Learn more about how to get started.
Engagement from civil society organizations and communities is needed to tackle antibiotic resistance. Learn more about how to get involved.