Campaign Urges Wise Antibiotic Use to Prevent Antibiotic
Resistance
October 16, 2006, DENVER - A public awareness
campaign utilizing Spanish radio and television public
service announcements launched Thursday, Oct. 12 on
Colorado's Spanish-speaking television and radio stations to
urge individuals to use antibiotics wisely. The campaign
will run through Dec. 31. The "Saludable," or "Healthy"
Campaign, which is being funded by a grant from The Colorado
Health Foundation, encourages listeners and viewers to visit
their health care providers instead of self-medicating with
antibiotics, which, if overused or misused contribute to the
growth of bacteria that are no longer killed by common
antibiotics. Many people, regardless of enthnicity, misuse
antibiotics. By targeting a subset of Colorado's population,
the campaign hopes to address specific cultural differences
related to antibiotic use and to provide education about why
it's necessary to have a prescription for antibiotics.
Kelly Kast, program coordinator with Get Smart Colorado and
coordinator of the campaign, said, "Requiring a prescription
for antibiotics in the United States is a change for
individuals who have ties to countries where antibiotics are
available over the counter. Antibiotics are available
without a prescription in many Central and South American
countries, as well as developing countries around the
world." Kast explained that taking antibiotics when they
are not needed, which is often the case when they're taken
without a prescription, can lead to the development of
bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. These bacteria
can cause infections that are harder and more expensive to
treat.
Kast said, "It is important that all Coloradans use
antibiotics wisely. The overuse of antibiotics not only can
lead to antibiotic resistance, but taking them can have
additional side effects, sometimes serious. Antibiotics can
cause diarrhea, yeast infections, rashes and other allergic
reactions. We encourage patients to talk with their health
care providers to better understand the appropriate use of
antibiotics and to discuss other measures to treat and
prevent illnesses such as the cold or flu. Simply washing
your hands frequently can reduce the chances of catching a
cold this season."
Anne Warhover, president and CEO of The Colorado Health
Foundation, said, "Empowering individuals to take charge of
their health is key to improving health and health care in
Colorado. Educating individuals about issues like the
responsible use of antibiotics is key to this empowerment
and the foundation is pleased to help make this campaign
possible." Project Partners The following organizations
are partners in the project:
- Get Smart Colorado, based at the Colorado Department of
Public Health and Environment - a coalition whose vision is
that every person in Colorado will be aware of and
understand the impact of the global problem of antibiotic
resistance and the consequences of inappropriate antibiotic
use
- Entravision Communication Corporation - a diversified
Spanish-language media company with television and radio
stations throughout Colorado
- Clínica Tepeyac - founded in 1994, a Denver-based clinic
providing primary health care and preventive health
education to uninsured, low-income residents of the Denver
metropolitan area
- Doctors Care - a nonprofit, short-term program designed
to provide affordable medical assistance to the uninsured
and underinsured in Arapahoe, Douglas and Elbert counties
through a coalition of health care providers
- Colorado Community Health Network - represents
Colorado's Community Health Centers, nonprofit clinics that
provide primary healthcare services to the medically
underserved
For more information and educational materials on
antibiotics use, visit the Get Smart Colorado Web site at
www.getsmartcolorado.com. For a list of locations providing
flu shots, call the Colorado Influenza and Pneumococcal
Alert Coalition's influenza hotline at 1-877-462-2911 or
visit its Web site at
www.immunizecolorado.com. ---30--- About The
Colorado Health Foundation
The Colorado Health Foundation (formerly HealthONE Alliance)
is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization devoted to improving
health and health care in Colorado. Its assets total $800
million, including an investment portfolio as well as an
ownership interest in Denver's HealthONE hospital system.
These assets serve the community through grants, medical
education programs, health policy initiatives and direct
care programs serving older adults, families, mothers and
infants. For more Boulder County information:
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