Showcasing Public Health Action on Antimicrobial Resistance, Following CDC Investments

Background:

CDC is committed to protecting people and the future of the healthcare, veterinary, and agriculture industries from the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AR). Policymakers are critical partners in this fight, but the AR Investment Map has also proved beneficial to state and local health officials, researchers, academics, and other non-governmental partners. Updated annually, the map showcases CDC's critical activities and investments in the U.S. and abroad across One Health.

Program background:

CDC’s AR Coordination & Strategy Unit (ARX) has used the AR Investment Map since its launch in 2017 to highlight CDC’s annual AR funding to partners. In FY22 alone, CDC invested more than $120 million to support health departments and partners in the U.S. and abroad to combat AR and prevent antimicrobial-resistant infections. The map features helpful tools to communicate CDC’s impact at the local level, including: an interactive map of activities in every state, as well as some cities and territories, and a global investments fact sheet featuring AR activities in more than 50 countries. Each fact sheet highlights the work implemented by funded partners and is printable/shareable by jurisdiction for use as a high-impact material for partner meetings. The investments shown are made by multiple divisions across CDC and are supported by CDC’s annual appropriations, including CDC’s AR Solutions Initiative, as well as supplemental funding. CDC implements the work presented in the AR Investment Map in support of the U.S. National Action Plan to Combat Antibiotic-resistant Bacteria, 2020 – 2025. Pulling this information into one resource makes impact stories more accessible to external and internal partners.

Evaluation Methods and Results:

In 2022, the site had more than 5,518 page views (and 117,825 since 2017 launch) and more than 2,051 PDF downloads (an increase since 2021 and 29,361 since 2017 launch). In 2023, ARX saw continued success, with 5,554 page views and 880 downloads in 3 months alone. One-on-one calls with several partners who work on AR and healthcare-associated infections have shown the value of this material. The NCEZID Policy Office and CDC Washington have shared qualitative information on the value when collecting information for Congressional briefings and meetings/briefings regarding CDC activities in other countries. Partners have reported that the site has proved valuable when looking for state-specific funding, country-specific funding, or project-specific information. Internal evaluation has also introduced the need for a more streamlined tool for the internal data collection process. ARX is working with partners to build a database to track AR projects across the agency over time and would also connect with the AR Investment Map for a more modern data transfer.

Conclusions:

The AR Investment Map helps CDC be transparent and consistent in communication about its extramural AR funding in the U.S. and around the world. It supports CDC AR strategic objectives by providing a mechanism to share information on partners and projects that are implemented in support of the U.S. National Action Plan to Combat Antibiotic-resistant Bacteria, 2020-2025.

Implications for research and/or practice:

Others may benefit from similar tools or approaches when showcasing investments that span the agency, multiple/similar topics, or agency priorities.