The invisible pandemic of antimicrobial resistance and its possible endings

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is often framed as a ‘silent pandemic,’ an invisible crisis unfolding beyond the public gaze. This unseen emergency narrative fuels policy responses aimed at re-establishing human control over antimicrobial use and benefits. In this commentary, we critique the reduction of AMR to a homogenising framework – a product of long-standing paradigms for disease control and elimination. We argue that AMR stems not merely from microbial exposure to drugs, but also involves broader anthropocentric practices. We assert that merely extending AMR concerns to encompass environmental factors is insufficient. Instead, we advocate for a paradigm shift towards a holistic understanding that respects the evolutionary adaptability and survival strategies of microbial life itself. Consequently, a fundamental re-evaluation of large-scale antibiotic use and production is necessary. Rather than seeking to control AMR as a pandemic, we propose exploring the inherent complexity and interdependence of AMR issues. Our proposition advocates for alternative futures that foster collaborations between human and non-human actors, ultimately envisioning a shift in human-microbial relationships towards more integrative health strategies.

Keywords

• Policy
• pandemic
• future
• disease elimination
• antimicrobial resistance