November 18-24, 2024: Antibiotic Awareness Week

WHEREAS, antibiotics are an important weapon against infectious bacterial diseases that can affect people of all ages and walks of life; and,

WHEREAS, antibiotic resistance impacts at least 2.8 million U.S. citizens each year and has become a global threat to the health of all people; and,

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has reversed progress in the fight against antimicrobial resistance; and,

WHEREAS, antibiotics are an important resource for making surgeries, organ transplants, and chemotherapy possible; and,

WHEREAS, inappropriate use of antibiotics for viral infections and antibiotic overuse in the treatment of bacterial infections has led to an increase in antibiotic resistance and other complications such as Clostridioides difficile diarrhea (C. diff); and,

WHEREAS, infections with resistant bacteria increase the cost and complexity of treating infections that previously were easily treated; and,

WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in conjunction with “World Antibiotic Awareness Week,” the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and the Michigan Antibiotic Resistance Reduction Coalition are devoting resources to enhance public and healthcare professional awareness regarding the appropriate use of antibiotics; and,

WHEREAS, the Michigan Antibiotic Resistance Reduction Coalition, in partnership with professional healthcare organizations, consumer groups, health plans, quality improvement organizations, state and local public health organizations, and pharmaceutical companies is educating health professionals and consumers about the appropriate use of antibiotics; and,

WHEREAS, these collaborative efforts seek to increase awareness about the overuse and misuse of antibiotics and ways to prevent the increase and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim November 18-24, 2024, as Antibiotic Awareness Week in Michigan.