Swedish work against antibiotic resistance – a One Health approach
The antibiotic resistance situation in Sweden is currently favorable, with comparatively low levels of both antibiotic resistance and use in the human and animal sector. This outcome is influenced by several factors including strong local commitment as well as strategic work at both the regional and national level.
The first Swedish national action plan was published in 2000 and emphasised the One Health approach. In 2016, the Government issued a strategy to serve as a foundation for Sweden’s efforts at both national level and in international collaborations. The strategy was updated in February 2020 and remains effective in effect until the end of 2025. Both the strategy and the action plan are informed by the experience and results gained from ongoing multi-sectoral efforts.
Early response in the human and animal sectors
The process to ban the use of antibiotics as growth promoters started in the 1980s and was championed by Swedish farmers, veterinarians and more. This resulted in a national ban on the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in 1986, followed by efforts to implement strategies to prevent infections through improved animal husbandry and welfare. In the human sector, an early response to increasing antibiotic resistance in the mid-1990's led to the initiation of long-term and structured measures from authorities and professional groups such as Strama. One strategy was to implement treatment recommendations for common infections in outpatient care, resulting in a sustained decrease in antibiotic consumption.
Over time, surveillance of antibiotic consumption and resistance in the animal and human sectors has been progressively integrated, for example in the annual integrated Swedres-Svarm report.
Sweden’s multisector surveillance
These examples highlight some of the key factors enabling the current multi-sectorial efforts in Sweden, including the importance of political and legislative support as well as communication, community awareness and enabling behaviours. In addition, supporting and funding research, in the sectors of animal, human and environmental health and through for example OneHealth Sweden, drives continued knowledge creation for the future.
How Sweden works with communication and enabling behaviours
Research and innovation in Sweden within the field of antibiotic resistance
