Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): a Multidisciplinary Approach

This course equips delegates with the knowledge, conceptual frameworks and tools necessary to understand and respond to the complex threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). The course learning reflects a One Health perspective that incorporates multiple disciplines, multiple sectors and national and international level considerations, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries.

At the Sixty-eighth World Health Assembly in May 2015, the World Health Assembly endorsed a Global Action Plan (GAP) to tackle antimicrobial resistance. Implementation is being supported by a tripartite collaboration of World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The GAP sets out five strategic objectives, which are being mirrored by national action plans around the world. Capacity to act upon these objectives has been identified as requiring strengthening. This LSHTM short course aims to equip delegates with knowledge and tools to address each of the GAP objectives: 1) to improve awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance; 2) to strengthen knowledge through surveillance and research; 3) to reduce the incidence of infection; 4) to optimize the use of antimicrobial agents; and 5) develop the economic case for sustainable investment that takes account of the needs of all countries, and increase investment in new medicines, diagnostic tools, vaccines and other interventions.

The course addresses the need to understand multiple aspects of the intractable problem of antimicrobial resistance. It will enable attendees to develop inter-disciplinary, multi-sectorial One Health responses and interventions to reduce the global threat of AMR.