CDC, CDDEP & RWJF Telebriefing: Uniting To Preserve Antibiotics Effectiveness and Combat Resistance 

On Tuesday, November 13 at 10:00 a.m. EST, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy (CDDEP) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), in collaboration with more than a dozen of the nation’s leading health care organizations [including Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA), The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), The Society of Infectious Disease Pharmacists (SIDP) and The Pew Charitable Trusts], will unveil the details of an unprecedented joint partnership to fight against antibiotic resistance.  The telephone-only briefing coincides with CDC’s “Get Smart About Antibiotics Week.” 

Telebriefing participants will discuss alarming patterns of antibiotic use and resistance in the United States.  Participants will also share plans for working together to preserve antibiotic effectiveness and slow antibiotic resistance. In addition, CDDEP’s Extending the Cure project will release new research identifying patterns of antibiotic overuse in certain areas of the United States. 

SPEAKERS:

• Arjun Srinivasan, Associate Director for Healthcare-Associated Infection Prevention Programs, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Ramanan Laxminarayan, Director, Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy
• Question & Answer session to include representatives from signatory organizations

WHEN:           Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. ET

WHERE:        The telebriefing will be conducted via conference call. 

CONTACT: Lowell Dempsey, ldempsey@burnesscommunications.com or 301-280-5741 

About the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the primary Federal agency for conducting and supporting public health activities in the United States. CDC’s focus is not only on scientific excellence but also on the essential spirit that is CDC – to protect the health of all people. CDC keeps humanity at the forefront of its mission to ensure health protection through promotion, prevention, and preparedness.

 About the Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy
The Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy (CDDEP) was founded with the objective of using research to support better decision-making in health policy.  The CDDEP team employs a range of expertise—including economics, epidemiology, disease modeling, risk analysis, and statistics—to produce actionable, policy-oriented studies on malaria, antibiotic resistance, disease control priorities, environmental health, alcohol and tobacco, and various other diseases.

 About Extending the Cure
Extending the Cure, which is supported in part by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is  research and consultative effort that examines policy solutions to address the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. The project is based at the Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy (CDDEP) in Washington, DC. To find out more, go to www.extendingthecure.org.

About the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation's largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to improving the health and health care of all Americans, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful, and timely change. For 40 years the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, the Foundation expects to make a difference in your lifetime.  Follow the Foundation on Twitter www.rwjf.org/twitter or Facebook, www.rwjf.org/facebook.