Antimicrobial Resistance Fact Sheet 2016.pdf The World Health Organization estimates that unless drastic measures are taken to reduce antimicrobial resistance, in 2050, antimicrobial resistance will be the largest cause of death worldwide causing the death of 10 million people annually.The main contributing factor in the increase in antimicrobial resistance has been the chronic over use and imprudent use of antibiotics across human and animal health sectors.See Fact Sheet for more details