Get ready for U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week!

Help spread the word and find ways to participate.

November 18 Kicks Off U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week (USAAW) 2023 Improve Antibiotic Use, Improve Health Equity

Kick off U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week (USAAW) with CDC on Saturday, November 18! Every year, CDC recognizes USAAW to raise awareness and share information on the importance of improving antibiotic and antifungal use. Any time antibiotics or antifungals are used—in people, animals, or plants—they can cause side effects and contribute to antimicrobial resistance (AR). The USAAW observance is aligned with World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW) during the same week. This year, CDC is focusing on the connection between appropriate antibiotic and antifungal prescribing and use and health equity. Health equity means everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health. Health inequities resulting from less-than-optimal antibiotic or antifungal prescribing practices may impact health outcomes, and result in an increase in antimicrobial resistance or adverse events in some populations. Join CDC November 18-24 as we recognize the importance of improving antibiotic and antifungal prescribing and use, improving health equity, and slowing the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Learn how you can take action this week and the rest of the year.

5 ways to join USAAW activities November 18–24

1. Use and share CDC’s U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week 2023 Partner Toolkit, which includes key messages and social media graphics. Check out CDC’s Be Antibiotics Aware Partner Toolkit for antibiotic stewardship resources for human health. 2. Jump into social media chats on X (formally Twitter): November 14, 8-9 p.m. EST: The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America with @CDC_AR, Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists, and the American College of Clinical Pharmacy Infectious Diseases Practice and Research Network are hosting a live chat on antibiotic prescribing equity. Use #ABXRxEquity and #USAAW23 to join the conversation. November 16, 10-11 a.m. EST: Join @CDC_AR in reposting messages about improving antibiotic and antifungal use and reducing the spread antimicrobial resistance during a Global X Storm. Join the conversation using #WAAW23Xstorm. November 18-24, daily: Help spread the word with family, friends, and colleagues so they can also get involved. Follow @CDC_AR and repost throughout the week using #AntimicrobialResistance, #USAAW23, and #WAAW. 3. Go Purple for AR to show your support for improving the use of antibiotics and antifungals. You can: Sign up to receive a toolkit for Go Purple for USAAW to help get members of your network involved. Wear purple and post pictures to social media encouraging your followers to improve antibiotic and antifungal use. Light up buildings and landmarks in purple for the week. Bring purple to your online presence: Share Go Purple and USAAW messages to your organization’s website, wear purple when on camera during online meetings and share why you are wearing purple. Share pictures on your social media, tagging #GoPurpleforUSAAW, #AntimicrobialResistance or #USAAW23.

4. Mark your calendar for upcoming webinars:  November 14, 2-3 p.m. EST: Urgent Care Association webinar on common myths and new successes in urgent care antibiotic stewardship. November 14, 3-4 p.m. EST: CDC and Federal Office of Rural Health Policy webinar on the National Healthcare Safety Network Antimicrobial Use Option and using data for action in critical access hospitals. 5. Check out the latest CDC resources on antibiotic and antifungal use, antimicrobial resistance, and health equity across One Health Antimicrobial Resistance Antibiotic Prescribing and Use Be Antibiotics Aware Partner Toolkit Antimicrobial Resistance and Health Equity AMR Exchange: Experts Discuss Reducing Health Disparities by Improving Antibiotic Use CDC Health Equity Page International Infection Control Branch

Check out CDC’s USAAW Partner Toolkit and visit CDC’s USAAW webpage to learn other ways to participate during the week.

	Join U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week Nov. 18-24 & spread the word about the importance of improving #antibiotic & #antifungal use, improving health equity, and combating #AntimicrobialResistance. Download CDC’s Partner Toolkit for ways to share: https://bit.ly/3ZCDi4k #USAAW23

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