Antimicrobial resistant (AR) infections have been recognized globally as a significant threat to public health. In response to this crisis, wide-ranging research efforts are underway into the mechanisms of AR development, AR control, improved medical diagnostics, and the development of new medicines to stay ahead of resistant bacterial populations. Beyond research, one of the largest contributors to widespread AR is a lack of public awareness of the scale of the threat and the role of individuals in increasing the chance of AR infection. Thus, in 2018 university extension faculty from across the United States with expertise in livestock production, veterinary medicine, food safety, communication strategies, and environmental management teamed up to develop the capacity to design and deliver extension programming and outreach focused on AR. The project’s title, “iAMResponsible™”, is intended to convey a shared obligation to understand the impacts of growing AR, adopt science-based practices to mitigate AR, and preserve the efficacy of antibiotics for future generations. The objectives of the iAMResponsible™ project are to (i) increase nationwide capacity to develop AR-related educational content, (ii) facilitate the dissemination of research-based materials, (iii) effectively engage audiences of disparate backgrounds on shared responsibility for AR, and (iv) empower behavioral changes among audience members to combat AR.
Ready to learn more? Check out what the iAMResponsible team is up to around the web.