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Thursday, April 7th, is World Health Day 2011 and this year the focus is on antimicrobial resistance, a growing threat that has the potential to affect each and every one of us.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the CDC - along with other public health organizations around the world – will use this year’s event to promote sane antibiotic usage and awareness of antimicrobial resistance in a variety of ways.
From the WHO.
World Health Day – 7 April 2011
Antimicrobial resistance: no action today, no cure tomorrow
Antimicrobial resistance is not a new problem but one that is becoming more dangerous; urgent and consolidated efforts are needed to avoid regressing to the pre-antibiotic era.
On World Health Day 2011, WHO will introduce a six-point policy package to combat the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
Resources for World Health Day
World Health Day 2011 brochure
pdf, 777kbToolkit for event organizers
pdf, 2.46MbCombat antimicrobial resistance: fact sheet
pdf, 1.03MbSlides on antimicrobial resistance
pps, 1.64Mb- Web banners
Posters
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Related links
From the CDC.
World Health Day 2011: Antimicrobial Resistance
Antimicrobial resistance is one of the world's most pressing public health threats. Today, CDC joins the World Health Organization and other health partners in recognizing World Health Day, which focuses on antimicrobial resistance.
Antimicrobials include antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and other medications used to treat life-threatening diseases. Antimicrobial resistance occurs when germs change in a way that reduces or eliminates the effectiveness of drugs to treat them. Widespread overuse and inappropriate use of antimicrobials is fueling an increase in antimicrobial-resistant organisms (germs). Increased resistance is compromising the effectiveness of these important treatments. As resistance increases, the patient's risk for complications or death from infection also increases.
We all have a role to play in preventing antimicrobial resistance. Patients, healthcare providers, hospital administrators, industry, and policy makers can work together to promote appropriate antimicrobial use – ultimately saving lives. Here's how you can help:
How Patients Can Protect Themselves from a Drug-Resistant Infection
- Talk with your doctor about the best treatment for you or your child's illness. (More information on symptom relief)
- Do not demand antibiotics or other medications when a doctor says they are not needed.
- Do not take medications prescribed for someone else. Taking the wrong medicine can delay correct treatment or allow germs to become resistant to the treatment and multiply.
- If your doctor prescribes medication for you or your child:
- Do not skip doses.
- Do not save any medications for the next time you or your child gets sick.
- Take medications as directed. Always follow your doctor's instructions.
Perhaps the single best place to learn about the dangers and impact of antimicrobial resistance is from our favorite `scary disease girl’ Maryn McKenna and her terrific book on the subject SUPERBUG: The Fatal Menace Of MRSA.
I reviewed Maryn’s book more than a year ago, have re-read it again since that time, and regularly use it as a reference book.
In short, Highly Recommended.
Maryn’s blog SUPERBUG is also the go-to place to read about all things antimicrobial resistant.
A few of my own efforts over the past year on the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance include:
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World TB Day: March 24th
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Pandemics & The Law Of Unintended Consequences
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Eurosurveillance On Antimicrobial Resistance
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ECDC/EMEA: Joint Report On Resistant Bacteria
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Carbapenemases Rising
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WHO: The Threat Of Antimicrobial Resistance
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NDM-1: A New Acronym To Memorize
While we often hear of potential threats to our health that – quite frankly – are rare and unlikely, antimicrobial resistance is neither.
It already has a major impact on our health care system, and that impact is growing by the day.
We literally risk losing our front line drugs against a variety of aggressive and deadly pathogens.
Unless we face the problem now, and change our cavalier attitude on the use of antibiotics, we face a future where effective lifesaving antibiotics may be increasingly difficult to find.
