COVID-19: U.S. Impact on Antimicrobial Resistance, Special Report 2022

Abstract

CDC’s COVID-19: U.S. Impact on Antimicrobial Resistance, Special Report 2022, provides a snapshot of how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted antimicrobial resistance in the United States. Data have shown national progress in slowing the spread of antimicrobial resistance and preventing these infections is possible. However, the pandemic has undone much of the nation’s progress on antimicrobial resistance, especially in hospitals. CDC’s Special Report highlights the impact of COVID-19 on five core to combat antimicrobial resistance and on 18 pathogens, identified by CDC as urgent, serious, and concerning threats. The United States must continue to invest in the prevention-focused public health actions to combat antimicrobial resistance. CDC’s Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions Initiative has invested in domestic and global capacity to detect, respond, contain, and prevent the spread of resistance across health care, food, environment, and communities. These investments are working, but more work is needed. This was emphasized by the COVID-19 pandemic. CDC is exploring investments needed moving forward in the U.S. and global public health infrastructure to ensure a simultaneous response to the challenges of antimicrobial resistance and other emerging threats. The United States must continue to invest in preparing public health systems to address threats from multiple angles, simultaneously, and across One Health. If properly resourced, the United States can continue to build resilient domestic and global public health systems to keep our nation safe against the threats of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. COVID-19: U.S. Impact on Antimicrobial Resistance, Special Report 2022, is a publication of the Antimicrobial Resistance Coordination and Strategy Unit within the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Suggested citation: CDC. COVID-19: U.S. Impact on Antimicrobial Resistance, Special Report 2022. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/covid19.html