Resources for Policy Makers

Each year in the United States, at least 2 million people become infected with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics and at least 23,000 people die as a direct result of these infections. Many more people die from other conditions that were complicated by an antibiotic-resistant infection.

Patients, healthcare providers, hospital administrators, and policy makers must work together to employ effective strategies for improving antibiotic use — ultimately improving medical care and saving lives.

The White House

National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

This comprehensive plan identifies critical actions to be taken by key federal departments and agencies to combat the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Learn more about the National Action Plan[63 pages].

COMMIT TO ANTIBIOTIC STEWARDSHIP
Read commitments from leaders in health focusing on antibiotic stewardship.

“Antimicrobial resistance is one of our most serious health threats.”
Dr. Tom Frieden, MD, MPH
Director, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Strategy for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

This strategy and accompanying executive order provide goals and direction to help the nation contain the spread of resistant bacterial strains, manage existing antibiotics to preserve their effectiveness, and help ensure a steady pipeline of new, effective antibiotics and diagnostics. Read the National Strategy[37 pages].

Report to the President on Combating Antibiotic Resistance

Prepared by the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST), this report offers practical recommendations to the Federal government for strengthening the Nation’s ability to combat the rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria. PCAST found that without rapid and coordinated action, the Nation risks losing the tremendous public health progress made over the last century from the discovery and development of antibiotic drugs, thereby threatening patient care, economic growth, public health, agriculture, economic security, and national security.

Read the Report[78 pages].

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CDC

Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, 2013

The report, Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, 2013, presents a national snapshot of the burden and threats posed by the antibiotic-resistant germs that have the most impact on human health. This report is the first time that CDC has ranked these threats into categories of urgent, serious, and concerning.

Read the Report.

CDC Antibiotic Resistance Solutions Initiative

CDC’s Antibiotic Resistance Solutions Initiative is a comprehensive approach that fully implements CDC’s portion of the National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria. The proposed $264 million for CDC, part of the broader national strategy, would facilitate action in every state, accelerate outbreak detection and prevention innovation, improve antibiotic use, and reduce antibiotic resistance.

Learn more about the Solutions Initiative.

Tracking Antibiotic-Resistant Infections

CDC collects data on antibiotic resistance and drug susceptibility, including Active Bacterial Core surveillance, the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, and the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System.

Learn more about antibiotic resistance surveillance systems, including CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network Antimicrobial Use and Resistance Module.

Measuring Antibiotic Prescribing

Research is regularly conducted to analyze national and state prescribing data in order to better understand trends in outpatient antibiotic prescribing and to identify where interventions to improve prescribing are most needed. By measuring prescribing, we can compare performance across health plans, states, and other entities. Decision-makers can use this information to guide policy interventions.

CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network Antimicrobial Use and Resistance Module provides a mechanism for healthcare facilities to report and analyze antimicrobial use as part of local or regional efforts to reduce antimicrobial-resistant infections through antimicrobial stewardship efforts or interruption of transmission of resistant pathogens at their facility.

Learn more about measuring inpatient and outpatient antibiotic prescribing.

Collaborative Groups

Interagency Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance (ITFAR)

The Interagency Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance (ITFAR) brings together multiple federal agencies to coordinate government efforts in addressing the complex issue of antimicrobial resistance.

Learn more about ITFAR.

Transatlantic Taskforce on Antimicrobial Resistance (TATFAR)

The Transatlantic Taskforce on Antimicrobial Resistance (TATFAR) was created in 2009 with the goal of improving cooperation between the United States and the European Union in 3 key areas:

Appropriate therapeutic use of antimicrobial drugs in medical and veterinary communities
Prevention of healthcare and community-associated drug-resistant infections
Strategies for improving the pipeline of new antimicrobial drugs

Learn more about TATFAR.

Joint Statement on Antibiotic Resistance

In 2012, CDC and 25 national health organizations unveiled a policy statement outlining strategies to conserve and replenish our antibiotic resources.

Read the Statement .