On Thursday, October 8, the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) hosted a webinar featuring important discussions among experts on the existing and growing threats associated with AMR, the connection to COVID-19, and what’s at stake if we don’t take action. The virtual event highlighted both public health prevention efforts and policy changes that can make a difference, especially for the millions of Americans who are most vulnerable to AMR and COVID-19. Our pipeline of novel antibiotics is dwindling at the same time that antibiotic overuse and misuse is growing, creating a dangerous perfect storm for drug-resistant infections. Meanwhile, COVID-19 has revealed what’s at stake when we’re not prepared for global health emergencies. Antibiotics are critical to modern medicine, but without action to address the rising threats of “super bugs,” AMR could be the next pandemic. As we approach flu season in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic—combined with the threat of AMR—concerns are high about what all these issues could mean for compounded illnesses, clinical exposure, antibiotic use, and more.
Webinar speakers included:
Moderator – Ken Thorpe, Chair, Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease and Robert W. Woodruff Professor of Health Policy and Chair, Department of Health Policy and Management in the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University
Michael Craig, Senior Advisor for Antibiotic Resistance, Antibiotic Resistance Coordination and Strategy Unit, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
Kevin Outterson, Executive Director, CARB-X, and Professor, Boston University School of Law
Sherie Lou Santos, MPH, MCHES, Health Policy Director, Rep. Diana DeGette (CO)
Faith Williams, Senior Legislative Assistant, Rep. Mike Levin (CA)
Mark Ratner, Deputy Chief of Staff, Rep. Fred Upton (MI)
David Sours, Chief of Staff, Rep. Drew Ferguson (GA)
Click below to view the full recording of the webinar.
Comments