November 18, 2026
WHEREAS, antibiotics are an important defense against infectious bacterial diseases that can affect people of all ages and backgrounds; and,
WHEREAS, antibiotics are an important resource for making surgeries, organ transplants and chemotherapy safer, and,
WHEREAS, more than 2.8 million antibiotic resistant infections occur in the U.S. each year and has become a global threat to the health of all people; and,
WHEREAS, inappropriate use of antibiotics to treat viral infections, such as viral upper respiratory tract infections, and overuse in the treatment of bacterial infections has led to an increase in antibiotic resistance and other complications such as Clostridioides difficile diarrhea or 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 and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) observe U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week and MDHHS and the Michigan Antibiotic Resistance Reduction Coalition devote resources to enhance the public’s and health care professional’s awareness regarding the appropriate use of antibiotics; and,
WHEREAS, Michigan strives to improve antibiotic stewardship in all settings in which they are used, including health care, veterinary medicine and environmental health; 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; and,
WHEREAS, all Michigan residents and visitors are encouraged to use antibiotics only as prescribed for themselves, their families, and their pets, get recommended vaccinations, and prepare food safely to preserve their health and the health of others;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim November 18-24, 2026, as Antibiotic Awareness Week in Michigan.
