Resistance to treatment and control of agents

Antimicrobial resistance, resistance to antiparasitic diseases and insecticide resistance now all pose significant global threats. TDR will support multisectoral research to inform national action plans and strategies to prevent and combat resistance. We contribute to research that strengthens resilience through improved surveillance, better risk assessment, enhanced awareness and better understanding of underpinning human behaviour related to the spread of resistance.

Featured research activities

Building systems to tackle antimicrobial resistance

Through the Structured Operational Research and Training Initiative (SORT IT), TDR has been building sustainable operational research capacity to generate and utilize evidence to tackle the emergence, spread and health impact of antimicrobial resistance in low- and middle-income countries. This involves strong engagement with WHO country offices, antimicrobial resistance committees and SORT IT partners. Research priorities are tailored to national action plans and local needs.

Addressing drug-resistant tuberculosis

TDR in close collaboration with the Global TB Programme at WHO and technical partners has developed ShORRT (Short, all-Oral Regimens For Rifampicin-resistant Tuberculosis), an operational research package to assess the effectiveness, safety, feasibility, acceptability, cost and impact (including on health-related quality of life) of the use of such drug regimens for adults and children with drug-resistant TB.

Postgraduate training scheme

In collaboration with eight universities in LMICs, this training programme focuses on building capacity on implementation research on major global health challenges including resistance to treatment and control agents

Current Master’s of Public Health students at Senegal’s Université Cheikh Anta Diop, supported by TDR, at an implementation research workshop earlier this year.

Regional training centres

TDR-supported regional training centres, located in all WHO regions, conduct virtual and in-person courses on implementation research to address major global health challenges such as resistance to treatment and control agents