The language used to describe antimicrobial resistance is counterproductive and unlikely to cut the overuse, experts say today.
Dr Tim Jinks and colleagues at the independent science and health foundation, the Wellcome Trust, have published a report on how the issue is presented. Members of their Drug Resistant Infections Programme state in the report that current communications on drug-resistant infections “are causing widespread confusion, with low awareness in all countries”.
They believe that understanding of the issue remains low and people “are neither aware of who may be at risk, nor inspired to apply the public pressure needed to press for political action”.
Speaking at the launch of the report yesterday (29 October), Dr Jinks said: “The language we use when talking about drug-resistant infections plays a crucial role for raising public awareness.
“People need to understand what drug-resistant infections are, that they are not limited to one illness or country, and that they are affecting people today. This problem can affect anyone and undermines a cornerstone in health care. Our communications must be evidence-based and compelling if we are to increase public understanding and see pressure for political action.”
Instead, the organisation recommends that drug-resistant infections are described as undermining modern medicine, “making routine procedures and common infections untreatable”.
They also suggest that simple, non-technical language is used to explain the science of the problem, and communications make it clear that it is bacteria that develop the resistance, not individuals.
The report and an accompanying toolkit was presented at the World Health Summit in Berlin, Germany.
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