“Planetary Health” Perspectives and Alternative Approaches to Tackle the AMR Challenge

Abstract

The double challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and paucity of new drugs is a major public health crisis all over the world. AMR-carrying genes and microbes occur naturally and the sheer use of an antibiotic helps resistance to thrive through a natural selection process. AMR gets exacerbated by several factors including environmental pollution, socioeconomic conditions, and indiscriminate drug use. “One Health” and “Planetary Health” concepts highlight the interconnectedness and dependence of human health on animal and environment and stress that overuse of antimicrobials would harm humans. “One Health” approach converges multinational and multi-sectoral efforts for rational use and stewardship of antibiotics. This can help reduce the rate of AMR development, but can it stop it altogether? We desperately need alternative approaches and new paradigms that perceive the issue differently and solutions that are more holistic and sustainable. Public health interventions to improve Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and environment are prerequisites to control AMR. Strategic research leveraging immunity, complex natural products, and microbiome balance could provide novel ways to bypass AMR. Valuable insights and solutions can arise by exploring traditional medicines that provide different ways of knowing and living in harmony with nature.