World antimicrobial awareness week

Abstract

The World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW), established at the 68th World Health Assembly in 2015 and observed from the 18th to the 24th of November each year, has been an annual occasion to direct public attention to the overwhelming burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The key aim of this event is to improve awareness to AMR, highlighting the importance of education and communication. In 2023, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) announced the rebranding of WAAW as the World AMR Awareness Week. These changes aimed at better supporting the challenges of AMR (1). A breakthrough in bacterial AMR epidemiology were the comprehensive analyses of the global burden through 2050 (2). These studies highlighted a concerning increase in resistance to critically important antimicrobials, particularly carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria and multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Alarmingly, bacterial infections were estimated to contribute to ~5 million deaths annually, with ~1.2 million directly attributed to AMR (2). Efforts to prevent AMR must remain a top priority for global health stakeholders, because AMR represents one of the top critical challenges of the 21st century, particularly in low-resource settings and conflict-affected regions (3). Strengthening surveillance systems is essential to track resistance patterns, identify emerging threats, and guide evidence-based targeted interventions. Equally important is fostering awareness among healthcare providers, policymakers, and the broader community about the risks posed by AMR and the urgent need for responsible antimicrobial use. These measures, alongside robust antimicrobial stewardship programs, are essential to mitigating the growing impact of AMR, reducing associated morbidity and mortality, and safeguarding global health.

This Research Topic aligns with WAAW's mission, showcasing multidisciplinary studies that emphasize awareness, innovation, and collaboration. The articles within this Research Topic highlight critical interventions, insights into surveillance systems, and the socio-cultural dimensions of AMR, providing a holistic perspective to inform and inspire action.