The unseen climate health risks of antimicrobial resistance in urban informal settlements

Over a billion people worldwide live in informal settlements in developing cities without basic infrastructure, such as safe sanitation and clean water. These communities, which make up 20-40% of the urban population in low- and middle-income countries, are severely affected by climate change, including frequent flooding, extreme heat, storms, and rising sea levels. Urban informal settlements (UISs) also face health risks due to factors such as lack of sanitation, repeated flooding, poor drainage, inadequate road access, poor housing, limited access to clean water, close exposure to animals, livestock, vermin, and insects, and suboptimal health literacy. These factors lead to chronic exposure to disease-causing pathogens, leading to high rates of bacterial illness and long-term consequences in children.