Each November, World Antibiotic Awareness Week (WAAW) aims to increase global awareness of antibiotic resistance (AMR) and to encourage best practices among the general public, health workers and policy makers to avoid the further emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.

Since their discovery, antibiotics have served as the cornerstone of modern medicine. However, the persistent overuse and misuse of antibiotics in human and animal health have encouraged the emergence and spread of AMR, which occurs when microbes, such as bacteria, become resistant to the drugs used to treat them.

Previous World Antibiotic Awareness Weeks have generally had a single overarching theme, this year WHO is giving us the choice! The 2018 WAAW campaign seeks to provide greater flexibility to regions and countries to reflect their unique priorities, target specific levels of awareness and their specific audiences. The approach is to anchor WAAW 2018 in the Global Action Plan on AMR with five "focus” days of tailored social media messaging around each of the Objectives.

The World Health Organization has developed a range of materials for WAAW in all UN languages. Posters, banners and infographics are available, as well as media resources, which can be accompanied by tailored social media messages for each day of WAAW 2018. This multi-day messaging campaign will give us the chance to try something new and we encourage regions and countries, Ministries of Health to participate in WAAW 2018 by marking all or just some of these “focus” 1. days by speaking up on social media.

Overall message

Throughout all WAAW 2018 media, participants are encouraged to incorporate two key messages to help guide discussion on antibiotic use and take steps towards wider public understanding of antibiotic resistance. These messages are reflected in the official WAAW 2018 posters.

1. Think twice. Seek Advice.

2. Misuse of Antibiotics puts us all at Risk