Global approaches to tackling antimicrobial resistance: a comprehensive analysis of water, sanitation and hygiene policies

A study analyzing WASH-related policies in 193 countries found that 672 policies met the criteria for inclusion in the dataset. However, no category of WASH-related policies had been adopted by all countries. Policy categories that were more difficult to enforce due to economic and governance limitations were more prevalent and diverse. Countries with gaps in policy categories also tended to be regionally clustered. The presence of policies was inconsistent across countries in the African and Eastern Mediterranean regions. To mitigate the burden of WASH-related disease and AMR development, decision-makers must first have a comprehensive understanding of the current regulatory environment. The global mapping of WASH policies, which may have implications for AMR development, serves as a foundation for future policy analysis for AMR.