The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will observe U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week November 18-24, 2024. The annual event is intended to increase public knowledge about the importance of careful use of antibiotics to prevent antimicrobial resistance, where bacteria and other germs develop an immunity to the drugs that were designed to fight them. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year, more than 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant infections occur in the United States, and more than 35,000 people die as a result. Combatting antimicrobial resistance is a year-round focus of IDPH, which works to educate providers and the public on best practices for the use of antibiotics. The theme of this year’s observance is “Fighting Antimicrobial Resistance Takes All of Us,” a message aimed at health care professionals and the general public. This message focuses on a “One Health” approach to fight antimicrobial resistance, which recognizes the health of people is closely connected to the health of animals, plants, and their shared environment. The overall goal is to get everyone working together to improve the global prescribing and use of antimicrobials such as antibiotic and antifungal drugs. The CDC estimates that as many as 30 percent of prescriptions for antibiotics are not medically necessary, representing approximately 47 million prescriptions. IDPH also reminds the general public of the important role they can play in preventing antimicrobial resistance. Good hygiene can reduce infections and lower the risk of drug resistance.