HEALTH INTEL: Antibiotic Resistance Trajectory Global antibiotic-resistant infections caused an estimated 1.27 million deaths in 2019, with projections suggesting 10 million annual deaths by 2050 if current trends continue. This crisis stems from decades of overuse—approximately 50% of prescribed antibiotics are unnecessary or incorrectly dosed. The WHO estimates 30-40% of antibiotic consumption in low-income countries occurs without prescription, accelerating resistance development. Understanding this pattern matters because resistance doesn't respect borders: drug-resistant tuberculosis in Eastern Europe and carbapenem-resistant bacteria in South Asia directly threaten treatment efficacy worldwide, making this both a public health and economic security issue affecting all nations.