Antimicrobial Resistance, also known as AMR, takes place when microbes such as bacteria and viruses evolve so that they are no longer responsive to the types of medicines that used to treat them.
This type of resistance makes these microbes much stronger and makes it more challenging to overcome the illnesses they cause.
World AMR Awareness Week works to improve public knowledge about this concern and equip people with the information they need to make positive changes to protect the health of people all over the world.
History of World AMR Awareness Week
Originally celebrated under the name of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, this event is a global public health campaign that seeks to educate and inform the public about the issues related to Antimicrobial Resistance and how to combat it.
Sponsored and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), this event is part of a larger global action plan to use communication, education, and training to tackle the growing problem of resistance to antibiotics and other medicines.
Each year, the organizers of World AMR Awareness Week assign a theme that relates to this topic, encouraging participants to focus on a particular element of AMR. Some of the themes from past years have included:
- Educate. Advocate. Act Now. (2024)
- Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together (2023)
- Spread Awareness, Stop Resistance (2021)
- Handle with Care: United to Preserve Antimicrobials (2020)
How to Celebrate World AMR Awareness Week
Take a look at some ideas for both medical professionals and average citizens to get involved and take responsibility during World AMR Awareness Week:
Participate in World AMR Awareness Week Events
One of the vitally important messages that come through World AMR Awareness Week is the recognition that antibiotics and other antimicrobials are powerful but also need to be handled with care and respect.
Medical professionals as well as individuals and caregivers need to be equipped with information about the best practices for handling these medicines. Check with a doctor before taking antibiotics and consider these best practices:
- Always take antibiotics exactly as prescribed, finishing the entire course even if feeling better
- Don’t ever save antibiotics or other medicine for another time or give it to another person
- Remember that antibiotics don’t work for viruses like colds and flu, so don’t request them from a doctor for these illnesses
Learn More About Antimicrobial Resistance
A key feature of World AMR Awareness Week is encouraging the public to be more informed about this medical concern.
In honor of this event, perhaps it would be a good idea to brush up on different facts and information regarding antimicrobial resistance.
Consider sharing some of these facts to start a conversation around the topic:
AMR is one of the top global public health and development threats, according to WHO
Statistics have shown that AMR contributed to almost 5 million deaths globally in 2019
AMR has significant economic costs, potentially contributing up to $1 trillion or more in health care costs and losses in the GDP
Antimicrobial resistance is not discriminatory – it impacts countries in every region all over the globe
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