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Combating antimicrobial resistance with World Antibiotic Awareness Week, November 12-18, 2018

Nov 15, 2018 |

Canadians are facing a significant healthcare threat predicted to cause more deaths by 2050 than cancer and diabetes today. Many Canadians are unfamiliar with the topic, don’t fully understand or don’t think it is an issue.

Antimicrobial resistance, or AMR, occurs when bacteria changes in ways that make medications like antibiotics no longer effective. With the increasing use of these drugs, more resistance is developing and infections are becoming more difficult to treat.

Many Canadians don’t have all the information. A 2018 Canadian survey showed 61% of respondents in B.C. incorrectly believe ‘antibiotic resistance’ means a body is resistant to antibiotics (antibiotic resistance refers to the bacteria’s response to antibiotics).

As November 12-18, 2018 is World Antibiotic Awareness Week, this is the perfect time to share accurate information about what AMR means for Canadians and how we can all work together to combat this threat.

Watch the interview with Dr. David Patrick, Professor, UBC School of Population and Public Health, to share more information on what AMR means and its impact in Canada.