(Un)intended consequences: a social sciences stocktake of a decade of Global Action Plan-inspired antimicrobial governance

The article examines how efforts over the past decade to govern and respond to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through policy, awareness campaigns and global coordination have sometimes produced unintended effects—including mixed public understanding, behavioural responses that don’t align with stewardship goals, and governance gaps that hinder effective action. It argues that incorporating social science perspectives more systematically into AMR strategies can help identify and mitigate these unintended consequences, improve communication and behaviour change efforts, and strengthen policies so they better align with real-world contexts and public health outcomes.