Increased public awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is needed to mobilize support for interventions to improve the use of antimicrobial medicines and to guide the actions of individuals and communities.

Key objectives are-

• To reduce inappropriate use of antimicrobial medicines (e.g., use of antibacterials for viral illnesses)
  
• Decrease the need for antimicrobial treatment by preventing infections
  
• Ensure that antimicrobials are procured, prescribed, dispensed, and taken correctly

Meeting these objectives will help maintain the effectiveness of relatively inexpensive first-line therapies in resource-constrained settings and is especially important as donor initiatives expand the availability of treatment for malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS.

Radio and television broadcasts by Voice of America (VOA) are important vehicles to convey health information in developing countries. RPM Plus, together with its partner Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics (APUA), provides technical assistance to VOA by preparing background reports, briefing reporters on important AMR topics, providing interviews, and placing reporters in contact with subject matter experts in developing countries. In addition, RPM Plus and APUA are helping VOA produce a CD-ROM-based modular training program on health journalism for reporters from developing countries. The training program will prepare local reporters to write stories about AMR and related health topics.