U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week (USAAW)

Purpose

U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week (USAAW) is observed each year from November 18-24. The purpose of the observance is to raise awareness of the importance of appropriate antibiotic and antifungal use and the threat antimicrobial resistance poses to people, animals, plants, and their shared environment.

Fighting Antimicrobial Resistance Takes All of Us. November 18-24, 2024.

USAAW 2024

CDC's theme for USAAW 2024 is "Fighting Antimicrobial Resistance Takes All of Us." CDC champions using a One Health approach to fight antimicrobial resistance, which recognizes the health of people is closely connected to the health of animals, plants, and their shared environment. Working together, we must improve the global prescribing and use of antibiotic and antifungal drugs and invest in global infection prevention actions across the health of humans, animals, plants, and the environment (for example soil and water). Each day during USAAW, CDC will focus on a different theme. A variety of resources are available in the USAAW Toolkit below to help you participate.

About antimicrobial resistance‎

Antimicrobial resistance happens when germs, like bacteria and fungi, develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them. That means the germs are not killed and continue to grow. Antimicrobial resistance is an urgent global public health threat that is estimated to cause more than 1.27 million deaths around the world and nearly 35,000 deaths in the United States each year. When Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) is added to the annual U.S. death toll for all antimicrobial resistance threats, the number jumps to 48,000 deaths. Antimicrobial resistance can affect anyone, anywhere, and at any stage of life. Antimicrobial-resistant germs can spread rapidly across the globe in and between healthcare facilities, as well as in the community, environment, and our food supply.


Preventing infections in the first place is our first line of defense against antimicrobial resistance. Access to clean water and adequate sanitation, vaccination coverage, and access to quality health care can prevent infections and the spread of antimicrobial resistance worldwide. Improving appropriate antibiotic and antifungal use is also critical. Appropriate use of antibiotic and antifungal drugs helps improve patient outcomes by optimizing the treatment of infections, avoiding drug-related side effects, and slowing the development of antimicrobial resistance.

Who participates in USAAW

Partner organizations—including U.S. federal agencies, health departments, professional societies, corporations, and patient and family representatives—are critical to the success of USAAW and to raising awareness about the importance of appropriate antibiotic and antifungal use and the threat of antimicrobial resistance during the observance and throughout the year. Each year more than 300 organizations participate in USAAW in a variety of ways—from participating in activities and events to distributing CDC materials, graphics, and messaging.

Global observances

The dates of the USAAW observance are aligned with the World Health Organization (WHO) observance World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW).

Other international observances coinciding with USAAW include:

How to use the USAAW toolkit

The USAAW toolkit was created to help you easily share messages and materials with your community, partners, or key audiences.

Daily themes and key messages

  • November 18: Fighting antimicrobial resistance takes all us
    • Everyone has a role in fighting antimicrobial resistance. Working together, through a One Health approach, we must improve the global prescribing and use of antibiotic and antifungal drugs and invest in global infection prevention actions across human health, animal health, plant health and the environment (for example soil and water). Learn about actions you can take to fight antimicrobial resistance.
  • November 19: The global threat of antimicrobial resistance
  • November 20: Human health & antimicrobial resistance
    • Antibiotic and antifungal drugs are valuable tools for treating infections, but their use—for people, animals, or plants—can contribute to antimicrobial resistance.
    • Any time antibiotics or antifungals are used, they can cause side effects and contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance, one of the most urgent threats to the public's health. Many medical advances are dependent on the ability to fight infections using antibiotics, including joint replacements, organ transplants, cancer therapy and the treatment of chronic diseases like diabetes, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis. If antibiotics or antifungals lose their effectiveness, then we lose the ability to treat infections and control these public health threats.
    • Individuals, parents, and caregivers, learn more about antibiotic do's and don'ts.
    • Healthcare providers, find resources for patient education on antibiotic use.
  • November 21: Animal health & antimicrobial resistance
    • Pet owners, practice healthy habits when caring for your animals like washing your hands after touching or feeding your pet. Try to keep your animals and pets healthy by keeping up with your pet’s vaccines, deworming, and flea and tick control. When your pet is sick, be sure to talk to your veterinarian about antimicrobial resistance and using antibiotics and antifungals only when needed to prevent risk to your pets.
    • Veterinarians can work with animal owners and producers to slow the spread of antimicrobial resistance by ensuring appropriate prescribing and use of antibiotics and antifungals and implementing infection prevention and control strategies while providing high-quality medical care for animal patients.
    • Animals carry germs in their gut, including antimicrobial-resistant germs. These germs can spread between animals and in their environments - farms, in animal markets, during transport and processing – and then to people. It's important to protect the health of animals and the people who work with them, the community, and our food supply. Learn more about the specific infection prevention actions livestock and poultry producers can take to fight antimicrobial resistance.
  • November 22: Antimicrobial resistance in agriculture and the environment
    • Human activity can contaminate the environment (for example water and soil) with antibiotics and antifungals, which can speed up the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance.
    • Antibiotics and antifungals are sometimes applied as pesticides to manage plant and crop diseases. However, using antibiotics and fungicides in agriculture can contribute to the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance in the environment, in humans, and in animals.
    • Learn how antimicrobial resistance can spread through the environment and in agriculture.
  • November 23: One Health approach to antimicrobial resistance
    • Antimicrobial resistance is a One Health problem that can affect the health of people, animals, and the environment. One Health is an approach that recognizes the health of people is closely connected to the health of animals and our shared environment.
    • If we all work to improve antibiotic and antifungal prescribing and use and take preventive actions to stop infections from happening in the first place, our collective actions can reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance globally.
  • November 24: Continuing the fight against antimicrobial resistance

Go Purple for USAAW

CDC is inviting families, friends, organizations, and communities to shine a spotlight on antimicrobial resistance by participating in Go Purple for USAAW. This nationwide effort encourages individuals to wear purple and bring purple to their social media and invites organizations, healthcare facilities, and municipalities to light up buildings and landmarks purple to bring awareness to the role everyone has in combating antimicrobial resistance.

How can you participate?

  • Light up buildings or landmarks in purple during November 18-24.
    • If your organization needs a specific color of purple to use, you can use either of these two purples: Pantone 2735 C or Pantone 2725.
  • Dress in purple and bring purple to your social media accounts during USAAW.
  • Share the USAAW support letter with your employer or community leaders to encourage them to Go Purple for USAAW.
  • Engage with @CDC_AR and others on social media to share USAAW messages. Use our sample social media messages and graphics and be sure to use #USAAW24.

If you are interested in participating in Go Purple for USAAW, let us know by registering! On the registration form you can share you plans to Go Purple and recognize USAAW.

Social media messages

Date
Social media post
Before November 18
U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week starts soon! ‘Go Purple’ anytime during November 18-24 to show how we all play a role in fighting #AntimicrobialResistance. Learn how you can ‘Go Purple’ and encourage others to do the same for #USAAW24 bit.ly/4bo2Bf1
November 18
To fight #AntimicrobialResistance (AR) we have to recognize that the health of people is closely connected to the health of animals and our shared environment. Everyone plays a role in fighting AR. Learn more bit.ly/3XI9aWy #USAAW24
November 19
#AntimicrobialResistance has been identified in all regions of the world & can spread rapidly from one part of the globe to another. Learn why we must collectively fight this global public health threat bit.ly/4cgawfx #USAAW24
November 20
Antibiotic and antifungal drugs are valuable tools for treating infections, but any time they are used they can cause side effects and contribute to #AntimicrobialResistance (AR). Learn how the appropriate use of these drugs can help fight AR: bit.ly/3zhewOm #USAAW24
November 21
DYK that animals, including our pets and livestock, can carry germs that can spread and contribute to #AntimicrobialResistance (AR)? Discover the simple actions you can take to protect yourself & your pet & fight AR. bit.ly/3RMbZlA #USAAW24
November 22
Antibiotics and antifungals used as pesticides in agriculture can lead to contamination of the environment (e.g., water and soil). This can speed up the development and spread of #AntimicrobialResistance. Learn more: bit.ly/3xyxT4U #USAAW24
November 23
CDC takes a One Health approach to fighting #AntimicrobialResistance (AR), which requires that everyone across human, animal, and environmental health collaborate to slow its spread. Learn how we all can fight AR together. bit.ly/3L8mSu1 #USAAW24
November 24
U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week (USAAW) is coming to an end but CDC’s commitment to combating the emergence and spread of #AntimicrobialResistance (AR) continues. Fighting AR takes all of us and everyone can play a role. bit.ly/4cDoRCn #USAAW24

Social media graphics

USAAW 2024 promo graphics

Go Purple GIFs

Coming soon

Social media stickers

Press graphics

USAAW 2024 promo graphic

Go Purple GIFs

Coming soon

Other graphics

Webinar background


Activities during USAAW/WAAW

CDC activities

Social media

Follow and interact with CDC on social media.

Use #USAAW24 and #AntimicrobialResistance to join the conversation.

Webinars/Podcasts

Coming soon

Partner activities

Coming soon

Go Purple for USAAW registration form

U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week (USAAW) is held annually, November 18-14. This year, CDC is inviting communities to help recognize USAAW by getting people to wear purple, bring purple to their social media accounts, or light up significant or important buildings or monuments in their community during the week. If you would like to Go Purple for USAAW with CDC and others, please use this form to tell us a little more about yourself, your community, or organization so our media specialist can share more information with you.

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