5 Ways To Celebrate Antibiotic Awareness Week 2024

This article discusses ways to celebrate the annual observance of antibiotic awareness week 2024.

Written by: Timothy P. Gauthier, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCIDP

Each year for one week the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) observes U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week (USAAW) and encourages others to participate in the event. The USAAW theme this year is “Fighting Antibiotic Resistance Takes All Of Us.” This same week the World Health Organization observes World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week (WAAW). The WAAW theme this year is “Educate. Advocate. Act Now.” There are similar observances in Australia, Canada, and Europe.

In 2024 USAAW and WAAW is November 18th through 25th.

It is well-known amongst health professionals that antimicrobial resistance poses a significant threat to human health world-wide. However, studies consistently find that the general public has an incomplete understanding of antibiotic resistance and misperceptions about it are all too common.

As a result, it is essential that healthcare professionals and those who fully comprehend the immense threat of antibiotic resistance get involved to help spread the word. The problems with antibiotic resistance do not reside in a hospital or a single country alone but are pervasive throughout global societies.

To assist others in identifying how they can very easily participate in this important week, the following five suggestions for getting involved are identified.

1. Talk to your patients, colleagues, friends and family

Human interactions are incredibly powerful. Through acknowledging that the issue of antibiotic resistance is important to you, a lasting impression can be left with others. This is particularly true when speaking to someone who sees you as a role model or mentor.

As you go throughout your typical activities each day during this special week, consider taking opportunities to broach the topic of safe and appropriate antibiotic use with the people you interact with. Even something as minor as a comment during a brief elevator encounter can help.

Here are some comments to consider:

• “Did you know it is Antibiotic Awareness Week?”
• “Are you celebrating Antibiotic Awareness Week at all?”
• “What do you think is the most important reason for celebrating Antibiotic Awareness Week?”

You can also coordinate to wear the color purple as a team for USAAW, which might cause people to ask about why the color coordination. It may also mark a good moment to commemorate the occasion with a photo worthy of a social media post or sharing at local collaborative meetings. For WHO the color is light blue.

2. Share awareness materials and reliable resources on social media

Whether you have 100,000 followers or 100 followers you can make an impact. The reach of material shared on social media is much more than many people realize. Just because something shared only gets a few likes or retweets or reposts does not always correlate to a low number of total views. It is likely that you have more power to impact others than you realize.

Sharing a helpful website link or interesting image on Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, TikTok, Threads, X, Snapchat, LinkedIn, or other social media platforms requires little effort. Tag @CDCgov and other relevant organizations in your posts too. Here are some excellent ideas from CDC:

WHO also has some great resources. Their campaign guide and materials are available here. I like how they offer content in a variety of languages.

3. Participate in the X chat (formerly known as Twitter chats) about USAAW

Thursday from 2-3 PM EST there is a chat collaboration between SHEA, CDC, SIDP, and the ACCP ID PRN. Even sharing content is helpful to draw attention to it, but commenting sure does help too!

4. Put up posters and/or hand out flyers

There are a great number of print-outs available to you through CDC, WHO, and other similar organizations. CDC provides a variety of easy to print handouts here.

If you can, try to print things in color and place them where they will get attention due to natural foot traffic through the area. Just be sure not to violate any of your institutions policies or protocols if you decide to put up some flyers.

5. Take time to enhance your knowledge about antibiotics & antimicrobial stewardship

While raising awareness with others about the safe and appropriate use of antibiotics is commendable, let’s face it, there is a lot to know when it comes to antibiotics. So take this time and get motivated to refresh yourself or expand your knowledge.

Personally I’m finally going to set up a plan for completing the BCIDP CE I need (thanks SIDP!), but maybe there is something that you have lingering in the back of your mind to investigate further – maybe this is the week to do it!

My resources page may be helpful for identifying some things to consider or for finding a new resource.

BONUS IDEAS!

• Raffle off a prize as part of a quick fundraiser for a great cause like the Peggy Lillis Foundation
• Buy purple balloons, stick them to yourself, and talk to people about Staphylococcus aureus
• Recognize a peer or employee for their exceptional work as part of USAAW

I hope you have found this to be a helpful resource and it will make participating in this special event both easy and effective.  Hope to see you on social media, find me @IDstewardship!

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