The origins of the antimicrobial resistance crisis and emerging solutions

Antimicrobial-resistant infections, already responsible for millions of deaths every year, are increasing worldwide. To tackle this crisis, a growing number of institutions, both public and private, have come together to implement policies that aim to curb the spread of antimicrobial-resistant disease. The resulting policy network has culminated in several tangible effects, including increased education on correct antibiotic use, improved support structures for the development of AMR therapeutics, global public health efforts to specifically help low- and middle-income countries gain access to better diagnostic and care facilities, and the growth of promising new treatments for antimicrobial-resistant disease. The following review provides background on AMR and outlines the progress in developing policies and technologies to combat rising cases of antimicrobial-resistant infections.