Yesterday was World Health Day.
I know, I know, this day then that day. Everything’s got a day.
Maybe look at it this way… Isn’t it exciting!? Every day is a new day!
Now, back to yesterday…
World Health.
There are many health issues (and disparities) that affect all those who inhabit this Earth. Clean and accessible water, clean air, health care, sugar, salt, fat, oh my! The list is huge and highly political.
Ugh, again, I’ve daunted you (wait, is that even a verb?). Sorry, we in public health tend to do that with our passion. Thus, to ease anxiety, we have focused on one key issue this year, drawing your attention to… Wait for it… Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) or drug resistant pathogens (bugs).
Sexy, right?
Whew! Start the parade!
If you think about it, though, it’s a big one. Superbugs are on the move. Rich with accusations, fraught with risk, and rife with confusion, this story could be quite the thriller…
Chapter One – The Accusations:
The consensus is that the general public has played its part in drug resistance by:
- Taking antibiotics too often or for the wrong reason; and/or
- Not finishing a course of antibiotics as prescribed because we either feel better and forget, or because we are hoarding the cure for later if symptoms re-appear.
The general public also likes to weigh in that drug companies aren’t doing enough with their profits to create new drugs that can beat the resistance, or they cheapen existing drugs so they are not strong enough.
It’s a case of Ye Olde Finger-Pointing Syndrome.
Chapter two – The Risks:
If we believe the accusations, what are the risks? Check out the current list of drug resistant pathogens from the Centers for Disease Control. It’s freaky. (Warning: Don’t look if you have a Chicken-Little type of constitution like me. Before you know it you’ll be roaming the streets yelling.)
Malaria is a kingpin bug that has flourished in this finger-pointing mess. While we’ve been arguing, it’s become resistant to conventional treatment, especially in poverty stricken areas. Treating it is a mean feat, with near dark-ages knowledge. Were it to be eradicated, mortality and quality of life worldwide would change dramatically.
Likewise, we practically eradicated tuberculosis (TB) in the modern world. The World Health Organization (WHO), however, says 440,000 new cases of multi-drug resistant TB emerge annually. Annually!? The idea that it could resurface out of our neglect is astonishing.
How are we to find a cure for cancer when we can’t stave off basic infections? How are researchers to keep up when pathogens are bolstered by our misuse or disregard? And then we point the finger back at drug companies? I can just see the villagers’ torches swarming.
Chapter three – Confusion and The Red Herring:
It’s important to know that bugs will naturally work to become resistant. That’s not to say we shouldn’t do our part and avoid speeding the plow.
But accusations are irrelevant if all they do is cut us off from action.
If we chip in and fully educate ourselves on proper treatment, if we also are diligent about following said treatment, and if we allow research to do its handiwork without a pitch-forked mob breathing down its neck, we’ll likely thwart more resistance than not.
Final Chapter:
Here’s the real crux of the issue: Drug resistant microbes grow when there is “inadequate national commitment to a comprehensive and coordinated response, ill-defined accountability and insufficient engagement of communities.” (WHO Fact Sheet)
Here we go again… Other people matter. And darn it, there it is again… It takes a village. A proverb is such for a reason. Its perfectly concise prose speaks volumes. Further, every village is ours, especially where infectious disease is concerned.
Do your part by curbing the confusion in your village and by heeding the wisdom of your providers.
Take medication only when it’s right, finish the course, wash your hands, cough into your elbow, wash your hands, oh, and did we say wash your hands?
And support coordinated public health efforts in your community to do the right thing.
Happy World Health Day!
And we’ll see you on the PATH Ahead!
PS. For more on what’s being done about AMR, check out this article from the Journal of Infectious Disease.