Antimicrobial resistance occurs when microorganisms like bacteria and fungi develop the ability to defeat the drugs designed to kill them and then continue to grow. These resistant infections can be difficult – and sometimes impossible – to treat and have the potential to affect people at any stage of life.
Iowa HHS collaborates with community partners through a One Health approach to understand and prevent antimicrobial resistance and improve our state’s human, animal and environmental health.
Antimicrobial Stewardship in Healthcare
Antimicrobial stewardship is the effort to measure and improve how antibiotics are prescribed by clinicians and used by patients. This work is critical to effectively treating infections, protecting patients from harm caused by unnecessary antimicrobial use, and eliminating resistant bacteria.
One Health
Animals can spread more than half of all infections people contract, including diseases like rabies, Salmonella and West Nile virus. Recognizing that Iowans’ health is tied to the health of animals and our shared environment, Iowa HHS follows the One Health approach.
Experts from various disciplines, such as physicians, veterinarians, researchers, engineers and agronomists, collaborate to improve the health of people and animals, including pets, livestock and wildlife.
Learn More
- Facts about Diseases that Can Spread Between Animals and People, CDC
- Healthy Pets, Healthy People, CDC
- One Health Communication Resources, CDC
- People at Higher Risk for Illness from Animals, CDC
- Ways to Stay Healthy Around Animals, CDC
Antimicrobial Stewardship for Veterinary Medicine
Antimicrobial-resistant infections are a growing threat. Antimicrobial stewardship is the effort to measure and improve how clinicians prescribe antimicrobials and how patients use them.
Antimicrobial stewardship requires commitment from veterinary personnel, human healthcare providers and consumers to ensure that our medicines remain effective for everyone.
Watch this 2-minute video from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.