INTEGRATED ONE HEALTH STRATEGIES FOR MITIGATING ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE IN CLINICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SETTINGS

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an escalating global health threat that severely impacts families and communities by increasing disease burden, mortality, and healthcare costs. Projections estimate that AMR could cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050, with 1.27 million deaths recorded in 2019. In OECD (The Organisation of Economic and co-operation and development) countries alone, AMR accounts for approximately 79,000 deaths each year, with associated healthcare costs exceeding USD 28.9 billion. A critical but often overlooked driver of AMR is improperly treated hospital wastewater, which can contaminate rivers and streams used for drinking, irrigation, and recreation. These waters often contain antibiotic-resistant bacteria, increasingly common due to excessive antibiotic use in clinical settings. Such bacteria make infections harder to treat and increase the risk of severe, life-threatening illnesses in surrounding communities. Addressing AMR requires a One Health approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health. This study explores the role of environmental pathways—particularly hospital effluents—in AMR transmission and emphasizes the need for integrated surveillance, policy reform, and sustainable wastewater management. The findings support global efforts to protect family and community health from the complex and interlinked challenges of AMR.