Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to be a pressing global health concern. Stewardship efforts aim to reduce its impact on healthcare and public health. This year, Contagion highlighted key strategies, guidance, and initiatives to combat AMR.
Experts emphasize the importance of communication and public awareness about AMR’s causes and consequences. A poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 67% of respondents were aware of the negative implications of overusing antibiotics, but 45% had not taken their prescribed antibiotics as directed.
In response, various organizations have implemented stewardship strategies, such as antibiotic de-escalation in critical care settings. The World Health Organization (WHO) released its updated Bacterial Priority Pathogens List (BPPL) 2024, prioritizing 24 antibiotic-resistant bacteria for public health officials and clinicians.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched US Antibiotic Awareness Week (USAAW), highlighting the need for a collective approach to addressing AMR. The year’s theme, “Fighting Antimicrobial Resistance Takes All of Us,” emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, plant, and environmental health.
Additionally, legislation efforts continue, with the Pasteur Act aiming to address the antibiotics pipeline and access crisis. Advocates like Debra Goff are working to educate dentists about antimicrobial stewardship, shifting the need for routine antibiotic prophylaxis in dental procedures.
As the world continues to grapple with AMR, it is essential to acknowledge the importance of public awareness, collaboration, and targeted interventions to reduce its impact on global health.
Source: https://www.contagionlive.com/view/contagion-s-2024-top-stories-antimicrobial-stewardship