Resources for Policy Makers
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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.
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 Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, 2013 Report.
“Antimicrobial resistance is one of our most serious health threats.”
Dr. Tom Frieden, MD, MPH
Director, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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.
- Page last reviewed: October 30, 2015
- Page last updated: May 24, 2017
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