World Antimicrobial Week was established at the 68th World Health Assembly in 2015, and it takes place from the 18th to the 24th of November every year. Its key aim is to improve the awareness of antimicrobial resistance, highlighting the importance of education and communication.
Antimicrobial resistance is caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites not responding to current medicines (such as antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics), leading to a higher risk of severe illness and death. This has a huge economic impact, leading to around five million deaths yearly, increased health expenditure, and, ultimately, inequalities.
Several causes lead to antimicrobial resistance, varying from region to region. These include the misdiagnosis of certain diseases with the consequent misuse of antimicrobials; the overuse of antimicrobials in humans, animals, and crops; or the lack of hygiene, sanitation and access to water. Due to these different causes, antimicrobial resistance needs a multisectoral response, focusing on the specific circumstances of each country and region.
In this spirit, Frontiers is launching a new article collection to coincide with World Antimicrobial Awareness Week.
This Frontiers in Public Health Research Topic aims to address the public-health-specific dimensions of World Antimicrobial Week, highlighting the importance of awareness and considering the importance of education and communication to address this global issue. Topics may include, but are by no means limited to:
- Global, regional, and local causes for antimicrobial resistance
- Global, regional, and local dimensions of the issue of antimicrobial resistance
- Examples of increasing awareness of antimicrobial resistance, and its impact
- The health-economic effects of antimicrobial resistance
- One health and multisectoral approaches to tackle antimicrobial resistance
World Antimicrobial Week was established at the 68th World Health Assembly in 2015, and it takes place from the 18th to the 24th of November every year. Its key aim is to improve the awareness of antimicrobial resistance, highlighting the importance of education and communication.
Antimicrobial resistance is caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites not responding to current medicines (such as antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals and antiparasitics), leading to a higher risk of severe illness and death. This has a huge economic impact, leading to around five million deaths yearly, increased health expenditure, and, ultimately, inequalities.
Several causes lead to antimicrobial resistance, varying from region to region. These include the misdiagnosis of certain diseases with the consequent misuse of antimicrobials; the overuse of antimicrobials in humans, animals, and crops; or the lack of hygiene, sanitation and access to water. Due to these different causes, antimicrobial resistance needs a multisectoral response, focusing on the specific circumstances of each country and region.
In this spirit, Frontiers is launching a new article collection to coincide with World Antimicrobial Awareness Week.
This Frontiers in Public Health Research Topic aims to address the public-health-specific dimensions of World Antimicrobial Week, highlighting the importance of awareness and considering the importance of education and communication to address this global issue. Topics may include, but are by no means limited to:
- Global, regional, and local causes for antimicrobial resistance
- Global, regional, and local dimensions of the issue of antimicrobial resistance
- Examples of increasing awareness of antimicrobial resistance, and its impact
- The health-economic effects of antimicrobial resistance
- One health and multisectoral approaches to tackle antimicrobial resistance