Background: National and community efforts to reduce resistance

Links to activities: accessing health information online, vaccinations activity, antibiotics scenarios.

Governments and health systems work to reduce antimicrobial resistance by doing things like:

• Improving how healthcare systems prescribe and provide antimicrobials.
• Increasing public and professional awareness of antimicrobial resistance.
• Developing new drugs and treatments.
• Investing in research to better understand the issue.

A recent report (Tackling antimicrobial resistance 2019–2024: The UK’s five-year national action plan) notes that antibiotic consumption in the UK has decreased, but more needs to be done to improve the public’s ability to prevent and manage infections as part of this.

Image taken from Tackling antimicrobial resistance 2019–2024: The UK’s five-year national action plan.

Ensuring that children and young people understand key issues surrounding infectious disease and antimicrobial use is a key part of the UK national action plan. Using e-Bug to educate children and young people on infections, hygiene and antibiotics has been mentioned as a case study within the action plan.

e-Bug has been highlighted as a way to support those educating children about hygiene and antimicrobial use in an age- and ability-appropriate way by key agencies like the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). The video below explains how the NICE guidelines address antimicrobial resistance.

A PDF summary of the video can be found in the downloads section below.

We need to teach others about effective infection control measures and proper antimicrobial use in our communities. This can include using tools like the e-Bug resources to discuss drug-resistant infections, antibiotic use, and vaccinations, with key community groups and schools. It can also include being aware of infection control and antimicrobial management policies in our communities.

Discuss in the comments below:

• Do you feel you could discuss antibiotics and vaccinations with children and young people in your setting?
• Are there any areas you might find challenging?
• We encourage you to help each other out with solutions to your challenges!