The intersection of socioeconomic deprivation and antimicrobial resistance: refocusing on a key determinant

In The Lancet Microbe, Charlotte Ho and colleagues highlight key issues relating to antimicrobial resistance including access to antibiotics, antimicrobial stewardship, and resistance surveillance, as well as the potential role of artificial intelligence in addressing these challenges.1 Despite concerted efforts, antimicrobial resistance remains a major threat to global health security accounting for approximately 9% of all global deaths.2 The factors driving antimicrobial resistance are complex, but antimicrobial stewardship, which focuses on preventing inappropriate prescriptions and reducing prescription numbers in line with national and international targets, remains a key intervention.