The Global Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance

This episode of the Princeton Pulse Podcast takes on one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity: antimicrobial resistance, often called AMR. According to the World Health Organization, this concerning phenomenon directly or indirectly claims more than six million lives each year. That means that antimicrobial-resistant infections are more deadly than AIDS or malaria. 

Host Heather Howard, a professor at Princeton University and former New Jersey Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, is joined by two guests: Ramanan Laxminarayan, an environmental economist, epidemiologist, and lecturer at Princeton, as well as the founder and president of One Health Trust, a public health research organization; and Dr. Martin Blaser, a physician, microbiologist, and professor at Rutgers University, where he directs the Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine. 

Recognizing the intrinsic connection between human, animal, and environmental health, the panel addresses how AMR affects food security, the economy, health equity, and our ability to fight future pandemics. They also talk about the United Nations’ upcoming “High Level Meeting,” which will gather world leaders this September to create a coordinated action plan.

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Visit the One Health Trust website to learn more about the latest research, developments, and news on antimicrobial resistance.

This paper explains the need for global solutions to antibiotic resistance.

Dr. Blaser authored a book on the topic, “Missing Microbes: How the Overuse of Antiobiotics is Fueling our Modern Plagues,” 10 years ago, which was recently adapted into a movie, “The Invisible Extinction.”

The Princeton Pulse Podcast is a production of Princeton University's Center for Health and Wellbeing (CHW). The show is hosted by Heather Howard, a professor at Princeton University and former New Jersey Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, produced by Aimee Bronfeld, and edited by Alex Brownstein. You can subscribe to The Princeton Pulse Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy your favorite podcasts.