World AMR Awareness Week 2024
World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW) is held from 18–24 November every year. The global campaign aims to raise awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and promote best practices among One Health stakeholders to reduce the development and spread of drug-resistant infections. The theme of this year’s WAAW is “Educate. Advocate. Act now”.
In the Eastern Mediterranean Region resistance rates are rising: about 50% of reported E. coli and S. aureus bloodstream infections are caused by resistant strains.
One of the key drivers of AMR is the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. At 25% higher than the global average, the Eastern Mediterranean Region has the highest rate of antibiotic consumption in the world.
To strengthen efforts to tackle AMR the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region is calling on:
policy-makers to prioritize AMR in national budgets and plans and recognize the urgent need to scale up national responses to AMR; and
health workers to adopt appropriate prescribing practices for antibiotics.
WAAW 2024 campaign guide
Get involved in WAAW 2024: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) also known as the Quadripartite have jointly developed a campaign guide to support and guide WAAW 2024.
Antimicrobial resistance explained
WHO lists antimicrobial resistance among the top 10 threats to global public health. In 2021, antimicrobial resistance caused 1.14 million deaths worldwide and was associated with nearly 4.71 million deaths. By 2050, antimicrobial resistance could claim 39 million lives – unless we act now.
Related links
Global World AMR Awareness Week 2024 website
Key resources on AMR and cross cutting programmes
Regional Director's message
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is undermining our ability to treat infections. It is a major threat to human, animal and environmental health.
The overuse of antibiotics is a key driver of AMR and the Eastern Mediterranean Region has the highest rate of antibiotic consumption in the world.
We must act now. We need to improve responsible antibiotics use, in line with the WHO AWaRe antibiotic book. And we need to ensure equitable access to quality medicines and diagnostics across the Region – including in lower-income countries and areas affected by conflict.
Fact sheets
Antimicrobial resistance and access to antibiotics
Antimicrobial resistance and infection prevention and control
How immunization strengthens the fight against antimicrobial resistance
Water, sanitation and hygiene and antimicrobial resistance
HIV and antimicrobial resistance
Antimicrobial resistance and tuberculosis
Antimicrobial resistance and malaria
Antimicrobial resistance and cancer care
Antimicrobial resistance and diabetes
Antimicrobial resistance and child health
Addressing antimicrobial resistance in emergencies
Questions and answers
Social media tiles
Videos
Videos – Youth promoting the WHO AWaRE Book
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