On November 21, 2024, EUREGHA, as the Secretariat of the Interregional Group on Health and Wellbeing (IRGHW) of the Committee of the Regions (CoR), organized a dynamic session on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). The event brought together experts and regional representatives to discuss strategies to tackle this global health threat.
Birgitta Sacrédeus, Chair of the IRGHW, opened the session by emphasizing the urgent need for coordinated, multi-sector approaches to address AMR, which poses serious health, economic, and food security challenges.
Ariane Vander Stappen, Head of Unit for AMR at DG SANTE, presented the European Commission’s One Health strategy. She highlighted alarming figures, including 35,000 annual deaths in the EU and projections of 200 million global deaths by 2050 if action is not taken. Vander Stappen outlined key targets for 2030, such as a 50% reduction in antimicrobial use in food-producing animals and a 20% reduction in human antibiotic consumption, showcasing progress through robust monitoring systems.
Laura Cigolot from the European Network for Infection Prevention stressed the need for education and awareness. She underlined the importance of infection prevention in healthcare settings and advocated for implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs to optimize antibiotic use and reduce resistance.
Yann Heyer, Policy Officer at the European Patients’ Forum, emphasized the importance of health literacy and patient-driven solutions. He highlighted the role of tailored communication campaigns, local partnerships, and personal stories in addressing the mental and social toll of AMR.
The session also showcased regional best practices. Isabelle Johansson of Region Östergötland presented Sweden’s successful Strama program, which uses a data-driven dashboard to analyze antibiotic use across primary care centers. This innovative approach fosters trust and collaboration among healthcare providers, leading to measurable improvements in AMR containment.
The event concluded with a dynamic debate, underscoring the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration, public awareness, and data-driven tools in the fight against AMR. Participants called for co-created solutions to address this complex challenge effectively.
