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Antimicrobial resistance: toolkit for media engagement

Year of publication 2024

Place of publication Geneva, Switzerland ;

Pages 51 p.

Author FAO; UNEP; WHO; WOAH;

Publisher FAO ; UNEP ; WHO ; World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) ;

Product type Book (stand-alone)

ISBN 978-92-5-138736-8

Synopsis (short abstract) Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a pressing global health concern, jeopardizing decades of medical progress by making once-treatable infections incurable. It occurs when microorganisms no longer respond to antimicrobial treatments, leading to ineffective therapies and heightened disease transmission and mortality rates. The misuse of antimicrobials in humans, animals, and plants exacerbates this issue.In 2019, bacterial resistance to antibiotics caused 1.27 million deaths directly, with numerous others indirectly linked to AMR-related factors. This resistance imposes a substantial economic burden, including prolonged illness, escalated healthcare expenses, and financial strain on patients.The potential consequences of AMR are dire: without effective antimicrobials, modern medicine's ability to combat infections would be severely compromised. Projections indicate that by 2050, AMR could escalate healthcare spending by $1.2 trillion annually and drive millions into extreme poverty. Furthermore, AMR hampers progress towards achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.The spread of resistant bacteria in animals intensifies animal suffering and economic losses, impacting millions dependent on livestock and aquaculture for their livelihoods. Recognizing the crucial role of media in shaping public awareness, the Quadripartite organizations (FAO, UNEP, WHO, and WOAH) prioritize media engagement to raise awareness about AMR. They've developed a practical toolkit to equip stakeholders with resources for media engagement at various levels, facilitating understanding of AMR among policymakers, civil society, and communities. Strategies include engaging target audiences, simplifying messaging, establishing common terminology, and fostering intersectoral coordination in awareness-raising efforts. This toolkit supports engagement with the media on AMR-related issues at all levels, encompassing journalists, bloggers, social media influencers, television and radio producers, online content creators, and community media.

Cite this content as:

Antimicrobial resistance: toolkit for media engagement. Geneva: World HealthOrganization, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations EnvironmentProgramme and World Organisation for Animal Health; 2024. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.

Language English

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