NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 17, 2003

Contact: Jenny DesVaux Oakes
(702) 242-7155

Nevadans for antibiotic awareness receives grant from Centers for Disease Control

Las Vegas --- Nevadans for Antibiotic Awareness (NAA), a statewide public/private sector task force of more than 50 organizations and agencies, has been awarded a $57,000 grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to continue and enhance its educational efforts to promote the appropriate use of antibiotics.

The grant, administered through the Nevada State Health Division, will enable NAA to develop a Web site, employ a part-time coordinator, add new education programs to include dentists and pharmacists, update the current education programs for healthcare providers, continue the distribution of provider education materials, and enhance the tracking/data of antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Since its organization in 2001, NAA has provided healthcare professionals and patients valuable information regarding appropriate antibiotic use. The goal is to reduce the development of drug-resistant strains of bacteria. The CDC estimates that 50 million of the 150 million annual outpatient antibiotic prescriptions are written unnecessarily; that overuse of antibiotics has resulted in the proliferation of “superbug” strains of bacteria.

“There are cases in our state in which patients have bacterial infections that aren’t responding to even the strongest antibiotics,” said Dr. Christine Petersen, chairman of the NAA’s public awareness committee and chief medical officer for task force member Health Plan of Nevada. “The CDC has identified antibiotic resistance as a significant public health problem worldwide.”

To date, NAA has been funded entirely through financial and in-kind contributions from member companies and agencies. “With targeted advertising, distribution of informational posters and brochures, hand washing campaigns, educational outreach and more, NAA’s programs have given Nevada national recognition. We are pleased with the effectiveness of the Nevada campaign and the acknowledgement of NAA’s efforts,” said Yvonne Silva, administrator, Nevada State Health Division. Nevada joins more than 31 other states in developing such programs.

Members of the task force include health districts, physicians, microbiologists, pharmacists, hospital infection control practitioners, healthcare companies, state and local health officials, Virgen Advertising and the Nevada Broadcasters Association. New members include the Nevada School of Pharmacy and the UNLV Dental School. The inclusion of these two important groups will expand NAA’s professional outreach and add another dimension to the campaign.

The executive committee is comprised of representatives from the Clark County Health District, Sunrise Hospital, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Health Plan of Nevada, HealthInsight and Nevada State Health Division.