NACCHO is pleased to announce the release of two fact sheets highlighting the role of local health departments (LHDs) in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and supporting antimicrobial stewardship.

• Antimicrobial Resistance: Local Efforts on a Global Issue provides a snapshot of the threat of AMR; describes the role LHDs can play in prevention and response; and explores three examples of LHDs engaged in containment responses.
• The Antimicrobial Stewardship fact sheet defines stewardship and highlights examples of local approaches to stewardship across the One Health spectrum.

These fact sheets build on work that NACCHO has done as part of its commitment to the U.S. government’s AMR Challenge, which encouraged domestic stakeholders and global partners across the One Health spectrum to formally commit to the fight against antimicrobial resistance. NACCHO committed to 1) increasing the awareness and capacity of LHDs to fight antimicrobial resistance and promote stewardship, and 2) promoting the critical role of LHDs in protecting their communities from antimicrobial resistance-related threats. At the local level, Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services made a commitment, which NACCHO highlighted as an example of local health department participation in the AMR challenge.

Throughout the year, NACCHO has promoted tools and resources related to AMR through our blogs and e-newsletters, hosted a webinar on the LHD role in Containment of Novel Resistance, and engaged NACCHO advisory groups in conversation with CDC subject matter experts on the topic.