1205-A - USG Efforts to Combat AMR and How You Can Be Involved

Session Description: The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria represents a serious threat to public health and the economy. As noted in the Lancet article “Global burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance in 2019: a systematic analysis”, AMR is the leading cause of death worldwide, with over 10 million deaths attributed to resistant infections. Currently, there are now more people dying globally due to bacterial AMR more than HIV and malaria combined and proof that these AMR-related numbers are progressing faster than previous worst-case scenarios. Detecting, preventing, and controlling antibiotic resistance requires a strategic, coordinated, and sustained effort.

In recognition of this serious and persistent public health threat, the U.S. Government formalized its response to antimicrobial resistance in 2014 with the creation of the National Strategy to Combat Antibiotic Resistance, the Inter-Agency CARB Task Force, and the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (PACCARB). Through these efforts the federal government continues to work domestically and internationally to detect, prevent, and control illness and death related to antibiotic-resistant infections by implementing measures that reduce the emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and help ensure the continued availability of effective therapeutics for the treatment of bacterial infections.

This presentation will outline the coordinated federal effort to combat antimicrobial resistance from its formalization in 2014 through the second iteration of the National Action Plan on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria 2020-2025. Importantly, PACCARB is guided by a One Health perspective. During this presentation we will give an overview of what a One Health perspective includes and how it influences all PACCARB deliberations and products. This also includes a deeper dive into what a Federal Advisory Committee is and their unique role in influencing federal policy. As a Federal Advisory Committee, PACCARB has put forth 11 recommendation reports and hosted 23 public meetings, among other critical stakeholder engagement activities.