Take Control of Your Health – Use Antibiotics Wisely This World Antimicrobial Awareness Week

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) is joining the global call to action for World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW), urging everyone to “Take control of your and your community’s health – use antibiotics wisely.”

Bacteria are becoming resistant to medicines at an alarming rate, turning once-treatable infections into potentially life-threatening conditions. This growing crisis—known as antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – is deepening health inequalities across our society.

Recent figures reveal that:

• People in deprived areas face a 42% higher risk of developing antibiotic-resistant infections.
• While 90% of antibiotic-resistant infections occur in white ethnic groups, Asian and Asian British communities experience the highest proportion of antibiotic-resistant infections, accounting for nearly 40% of all cases.
• The declining ability to treat and prevent infections is hitting our poorest communities the hardest, as they already face greater barriers in accessing timely healthcare.

Amin Mitha, Associate Director for Medicines Optimisation said:

“Antimicrobial resistance is one of the biggest public health threats of our time. We all have a role to play in slowing its spread – by using antibiotics only when needed and as directed by a healthcare professional.Everyone can help us in this fight by only taking antibiotics if you have been told to do so by a healthcare professional. Do not save some for later or share them with friends and family. Treat antibiotics with respect and they will be there to help us all in the future.”

While bacteria naturally develop resistance over time, the misuse and overuse of antibiotics is accelerating this process. Every unnecessary antibiotic use increases the chance of resistance developing, putting vulnerable communities at risk.

Everyone can help stop the spread of antibiotic resistance by following a few simple steps:

• Remember: Antibiotics don’t work for colds, flu, or most coughs – your body can fight these infections naturally.
• Only use antibiotics when prescribed by a qualified healthcare professional.
• Always complete the full course of treatment as directed.
• Never save leftover antibiotics or share them with others.

To support this message, the ICB has created a series of short videos featuring a pharmacist, GP, patient, and microbiologist, who each discuss the risks of taking antibiotics when you don’t need them – and how everyone can help protect themselves and their communities by using antibiotics wisely.

The ICB has created some informative videos to support this awareness day

For more information on how to use antibiotics safely and protect your community, visit https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/antibiotics/antibiotic-antimicrobial-resistance/