The Public Takes Notice, Slowly

New poll reveals Americans’ views on antimicrobial resistance 

A Kaiser Family Foundation poll out this summer found that Americans are concerned about the growth of drug-resistant infections. But confusion abounds about what can be done about it.

The good news? Over 70 percent of Americans have heard of antibiotic resistance. Nearly 70 percent know that overusing antibiotics could necessitate the use of stronger medications. And more than 60 percent recognize that overuse could lead to more dangerous infections.

But there’s bad news, too. More than one in four Americans mistakenly believe viral infections can be cured with antibiotics. And 45 percent admit they’ve used antibiotics inappropriately.   

These knowledge gaps help explain why only one in three American adults is “very worried” about the rise of antibiotic resistance in the United States.

Read the full newsletter here.

Click here to subscribe to the Superbug Bulletin.