Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
Resolution text
Resolved, That the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church, meeting in Salt Lake City February 13-15, 2020, acknowledges that the Church has an important role to play in taking action against the global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR); and be it further
Resolved, That “Antimicrobial Resistance is one of the biggest threats to global health, food security, and development today” (World Health Organization, 2018), leading to more than 2.8 million infections and 35,000 deaths in the United States annually, and over 700,000 deaths annually around the world, and be it further
Resolved, That, as no new classes of antibiotics have been formulated since the 1980s, and the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in the food industry has risen dramatically world-wide, contributing significantly to the dramatic surge in AMR, education of governments, industry, healthcare professionals, and individuals for the proper use of antibiotics is one of the highest priorities in the battle against AMR, and be it further
Resolved, that the Executive Council sees the 2020 Lambeth Conference as an ideal opportunity to raise the issue of AMR as a critical issue that can be addressed by cooperation between Anglican Provinces, mobilizing diocesan and parochial structures to further the work of non-governmental organizations and health providers as they seek to reduce the threat of AMR, and be it further
Resolved, That the Executive Council urges the Church to work with other faith-based groups to respond to this crisis and to take action to address related crises, partnering when possible to develop responses jointly that will help people around the world; and be it further
Resolved, That the Executive Council urges support for funding of antimicrobial resistance research, responsible use of antibiotics, and public health systems that provide assistance for all people.
Explanation
The World Health Organization defines Antimicrobial Resistance in these terms: “Antimicrobial resistance occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change in ways that render the medications used to cure the infections they cause ineffective. When the microorganisms become resistant to most antimicrobials they are often referred to as “superbugs”. This is a major concern because a resistant infection may kill, can spread to others, and imposes huge costs to individuals and society.”
The Review on Antimicrobial Resistance. 2016. Tackling Drug-Resistant Infection Globally: Final Report and Recommendations. The Review on Antimicrobial Resistance, chaired by Jim O’Neill. Report Commissioned by the UK Prime Minister. May 2016. https://amr-review.org/sites/default/files/160525_Final%20paper_with%20cover.pdf
Religious Groups Antimicrobial Resistance:
AMR Challenge: A yearlong effort to accelerate the fight against antimicrobial resistance across the globe – below are faith based groups working with CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/intl-activities/amr-challenge.html Africa Christian Health Associations Platform (Maryland) 5,000 healthcare facilities in 32 countries across sub-Saharan Africa. Promotes safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene Christian Health Association of Ghana (Ghana) Committed to adopting safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene Engineering Ministries International (Colorado) Christian non-profit committed to being a technical resource for the design of appropriate/sustainable safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene solutions Mountain Home Christian Clinic (Arkansas) Commits to giving clinic patients relevant educational materials regarding proper use of antibiotics Water Mission (South Carolina) Christian non-profit providing technical guidance for safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene Catholic Church on Antimicrobial resistance https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2018/11/cardinal-makes-urgent-call-to-combat-antibiotic-overuse-misuse/ AMR poses ‘great challenge’ to global public health and puts the most vulnerable at risk Especially women giving birth and newborns Tens of thousands of church sponsored healthcare institutions/education centers are well positioned to encourage ongoing support, mobilize individual/community action, and advance social/medical practices to combat AMR Faith-based groups can help by enhancing awareness and education methods, create community/individual understanding of impact of misuse of medication Georgetown Pairing with Vatican/Catholic Church to raise awareness of AMR https://www.georgetown.edu/news/faith-organizations-gather-in-rome-to-discuss-ways-to-fight-antimicrobial-resistance/4 day conference in Rome brought Catholic organizations, health associations, scientists, government representatives, and NGOs Addressed need to develop/implement best practices with local providers and better education Focus on how to implement AMR in local communities and their specific needs instead of a top down approach Programs Against Antimicrobial Resistance in Religiously Affiliated Hospitals Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs Houston Methodist Hospital: https://www.houstonmethodist.org/for-health-professionals/department-programs/pharmacy/antimicrobial-stewardship-program/ Program develops, implements, and evaluates effective and sustainable patient care interventions that optimize the clinical usage of antimicrobial use Saint Luke’s: https://www.saintlukeskc.org/antimicrobial-stewardship-program
Program develops the best possible antimicrobial relate outcomes by ensuring the optimal selection, dose, and duration of antimicrobials for treatment Education on Antimicrobial Resistance
Baptist Health of Arkansas: https://www.baptist-health.com/avoiding-the-spread-of-superbugs/Discusses the causes of Antibiotic Resistance and how it can be prevented
Suggestions from conducted research for The Episcopal Church:
AMR brought up in convention and resolution be created about battling this issue
Would allow OGR to work w/ Congress on topic S1379: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/1379/text
Became law on 6/24/19, but it doesn’t discuss AMR much
Only that an Antimicrobial Resistance Task Force would be set up
Copy what Catholic church did: meet with experts on the issue and use worldwide network with other churches in the Anglican Communion and hospitals in the Anglican Health Network (if AHN is still operational)
This would allow education and proper care to be disseminated worldwide.