Syndemic approach to address the burden of antimicrobial resistance in Southeast Asia

The article argues that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) should be understood not only as a biological problem but as a “syndemic”—a complex interaction between infectious diseases, social inequalities, environmental factors, and health-system challenges. The authors explain that factors such as poverty, limited health education, weak healthcare infrastructure, and environmental contamination interact with biological mechanisms of resistance, amplifying the impact of AMR, particularly in vulnerable populations. They propose that addressing AMR effectively requires integrated strategies that combine biomedical interventions with policies targeting social determinants of health, improved stewardship, stronger health systems, and cross-sector collaboration within a One Health framework.