Tag: Global health

What drives antibiotic use without prescription in low- and middle-income countries?

Posted on by capcbristol

Dr Christie Cabral and Professor Helen Lambert

by Dr Christie Cabral,  Senior Lecturer, Centre for Academic Primary Care and Professor Helen Lambert, Professor of Medical Anthropology, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol

Antibiotic resistance: a key problem

Antibiotics are life-saving drugs that treat infections caused by bacteria. However, every time antibiotics are used, bacteria can become resistant to them, making infections harder to treat. This is called antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In 2011, Dame Sally Davies, then the UK’s Chief Medical Officer, helped to make AMR a government priority. Since then, strategies have been created to help conserve antibiotics and keep them effective. These strategies are called antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and are used in the UK and around the world.

However, there’s a major problem: it’s hard to figure out quickly which infections are caused by bacteria and need antibiotics, especially when medical tests are not available, which is most places outside hospitals. … Read more

World Health Summit 2024: Building Trust for a Healthier World

Posted on by capcbristol

Kirsten Nothnagel

by Kerstin Nothnagel, Postgraduate researcher and PhD student, Centre for Academic Primary Care, University of Bristol

I recently got back from an inspiring and transformative few days at the World Health Summit 2024 in Berlin! Held from October 13-15, the summit brought together over 350 speakers and thousands of participants from across the globe, all united under the theme of “Building Trust for a Healthier World.” The discussions were not only enriching but a crucial reminder of how connected we are in tackling some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.

From pandemic preparedness to climate change, health equity, and the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, the topics covered were vast. But what truly set this summit apart was the focus on local, community-based primary care as a bottom-up solution to global health issues. Over and over, the message came through loud and clear: real progress happens at … Read more