World AMR Awareness Week

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World AMR Awareness Week

World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) is celebrated from 18 - 24 November each year.

Overview

World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) is a global campaign to raise awareness and understanding of AMR and promote best practices to reduce the emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections. It is celebrated from 18 to 24 November every year.

The World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) 2024 theme is “Educate. Advocate. Act now.”

The Commission supports WAAW in Australia by providing resources and coordinating initiatives to support the effective use of antimicrobials in preventing and containing antimicrobial resistance and local activities across the week.

What is antimicrobial resistance (AMR)?

Antimicrobial resistance is the ability of microorganisms (such as bacteria) to stop an antimicrobial from working effectively. Whilst antimicrobials have the potential to treat infections, use of antimicrobials can also contribute to the problem of antimicrobial resistance.

What are antimicrobials - Graphic

2024

Poster or graphic

Why is AMR such a major concern?

Antimicrobials are lifesaving medications, but only if they work against the organism causing infection. AMR may impact on life saving health care, such as cancer treatments or organ transplants, if antimicrobials are not able to be effective in preventing infections that are commonly associated with these procedures.

Antimicrobial resistance is already affecting the care of patients, and current trends indicate AMR will have an increasing impact over time.

The World Health Organization has described AMR as one of the greatest threats to human and animal health, as well as food and agriculture. Each year, hundreds of people die in Australia as a result of antimicrobial resistance.

Why is the correct use of antimicrobials important?

Unlike many other medications, the development of antimicrobial resistance from the over use of antimicrobials can affect not only the patient needing treatment now, but also patients and the wider community into the future. Antimicrobial use inevitably leads to resistance, but overuse of antimicrobials has accelerated this process. Some antimicrobials are no longer able to be used to treat infections.

It is important to take antimicrobials as prescribed by doctors and not to pressure doctors for antimicrobials if they feel they won’t help your situation. Saving antimicrobial prescriptions for later or taking someone else’s can mean you aren’t getting the right antimicrobial, at the right dose, for your needs. Recent Australian data published by the Commission shows continuing concerning patterns of antimicrobial use in Australia.

Can’t we just develop new, stronger antimicrobials?

What can be done now?

Resources

The Commission provides a range of resources in support of WAAW in Australia.

Key messages

Antimicrobials are a precious resource, but their usefulness could be lost without appropriate use
Antimicrobial resistance is happening now – it is a worldwide problem that affects human and animal health.
Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria stop an antibiotic from working effectively – meaning some infections may become impossible to treat.
Few new antimicrobials are being developed to help support this challenge.
Misuse of antimicrobials contributes to antimicrobial resistance.
Whenever antimicrobials must be used, they must be used with care.

Join the conversation

Many clinicians and organisations participate in social media discussions during World AMR Awareness Week to contribute to, and learn more about, the importance of safe and appropriate antimicrobial use in addressing the problem of antimicrobial resistance and improving patient care.

An annual global social media chat is coordinated by the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC). To keep up to date on the global chat and on topics relevant to World AMR Awareness Week, follow the Commission on social media: @ACSQHC.

Other useful accounts to follow include:

Australia’s National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy – 2020 and Beyond

Australia's National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy - 2020 and Beyond sets a 20-year vision to protect the health of humans, animals and the environment through minimising the development and spread of AMR while continuing to have effective antimicrobials available.

AURA - Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Australia

The Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Australia (AURA) Surveillance System provides surveillance data and reports on antimicrobial use, appropriateness of use, and antimicrobial resistance to clinicians and policy makers to inform improved prescribing practice, and prevent and contain AMR.

Watch Professor John Turnidge AO, from the AURA Team, explain the causes and dangers of AMR and inappropriate antimicrobial usage, and the Commission's work to support the AURA Surveillance System.

Data to improve antimicrobial use - AURA 2023

For the latest national report on analyses of AURA data, and opportunities to use these data to improve antimicrobial use, take a look at AURA 2023: Fifth Australian report on antimicrobial use and resistance in human health.

AURA 2023: Fifth Australian report on antimicrobial use and resistance in human health - Report

2023

Publication, report or update

Visit the AURA 2023 web page for a range of complementary resources.

Contact the Commission

In addition to your local WAAW contacts, you can also email the Commission at AAW@safetyandquality.gov.au

Find more in our resource library

Antimicrobial resistance, use and stewardship