World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week 2024: Our impact and progress to date
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is recognised as one of the top 10 global public health threats by the WHO. Without effective antibiotics, everyday procedures like surgeries, cancer treatments, and even childbirth become significantly riskier.
In the UK, AMR poses a significant challenge due to overuse and misuse of antibiotics. One in three hospital patients are on antibiotics, and 36% of antibiotics are used in animals, further contributing to resistance. Tackling AMR requires a ‘One-Health’ approach that integrates human, animal, and environmental health. However, progress is hindered by gaps in real-time data, fragmented systems, and siloed information across sectors.
The EPSRC Digital Health Hub for Antimicrobial Resistance was created to step up to this challenge. Led by a multidisciplinary team of researchers, clinicians, and policymakers, we’re pioneering innovative solutions to address this crisis.
Read on to learn about progress we’ve made to date:
1. Nurturing cross-sector engagement to accelerate digital health innovations
We’re pioneering a culture of collaboration to combat AMR, engaging over 260 stakeholders across government, industry, healthcare, and academia. Key milestones include:
Hosting cross-government panels with the UK Health Security Agency, the Veterinary Medicines Directive and the Environment Agency, and the devolved nations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as digital and water industries to align strategies for AMR surveillance and stewardship.
Co-leading the Diagnostics for Low-and-Middle-Income Countries International Conference with Oxford, featuring speakers from Africa CDC, Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme, and the Africa Health Research Institute.
Organising clinical workshops with NHS regulators, public health experts, and data scientists, led by our Deputy Director, Colin Brown.
Developing an AMR Observatory to share best practices and insights.
Looking ahead: We aim to deepen engagement, publish reports, and drive policy impact in 2025.
2. Building the workforce of tomorrow
We’re equipping future leaders with interdisciplinary skills in AMR and digital health through innovative training programs. We have:
Created a publicly accessible lecture series on AMR and digital health (18 lectures, 300+ YouTube views).
Co-developed a 5-day course, ‘R for AMR Epidemiologists,’ with UKHSA and UCL Advanced Research Computing, training 38 epidemiologists.
Launched a Fellowship Program to support emerging leaders in AMR research.
Looking ahead: Our plans for 2025 include expanding courses with the NHS, cross-government, and industry partners, and hosting career development workshops.
3. Innovating for AMR surveillance and stewardship
Our Grand Challenge programme focuses on pioneering digital health solutions for AMR. Current achievements include:
Developing dashboards for wastewater monitoring of AMR in the environment.
Exploring the use of online searches and social media to track AMR trends.
Advancing tools like digital prescribing systems, wearables, and rapid diagnostic tests to improve AMR data collection and decision-making.
Building the foundations of a ‘One-Health’ Trusted Research Environment for seamless data integration.
This work has resulted in 15 new partnerships, international keynote talks, and high-impact publications.
Looking ahead: We have plans to further expand our research impact, partnerships, and publications, alongside IP development and funding expansion.
4. Growing a hub of innovation
We’ve launched a £530,000 Partner Fund to support interdisciplinary partnerships and pilot studies, fostering innovation across academia, healthcare, and industry. Success stories include:
Partnership with regulator on mobile phones as diagnostic decision support tools
Using AI tools to design rapid diagnostic binders for lateral flow immunoassays.
Linking pathogen sequencing to antibiotic prescribing data in University College Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to optimise treatments.
Looking ahead: Our funding calls in 2025 will build on engagement workshops to address emerging challenges.
5. Maximising impact through communications and engagement
We’re amplifying awareness and driving public involvement in AMR through:
Launching a website and social media strategy, with a steady drumbeat of news, blogs and updates.
Publishing high-impact findings, including a major Nature publication aligned to the UN General Assembly AMR Summit influencing global AMR test to treat policy and data blindspots.
Engaging with stakeholders through workshops, award recognitions, and interviews
Looking ahead: We plan to enhance our patient and public engagement strategy and continue to boost the hub’s visibility and impact across digital channels.
Together, with our partners, we are building a future where digital innovation safeguards global health against the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.
Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter to hear about new announcements, and you can stay up to date with training and other opportunities via our Digital Health Hub for AMR Skills and Funding pages.
