Sepsis Alliance Survey of Registered Voters Reveals Agreement Across Party Lines – Antimicrobial Resistance is a Very Real Threat and Support for the PASTEUR Act is High

SAN DIEGO, CA – Sepsis Alliance, the nation’s first and leading sepsis advocacy organization, conducted a comprehensive survey to gauge registered voters’ understanding and opinions on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). The findings of this survey will serve as a valuable resource for engaging elected officials, as well as for potential education and advocacy initiatives. Click here for the full report.

AMR occurs when specific strains of bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites that make people sick have adapted in order to avoid the antimicrobials (medicines such as antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics) designed to treat them. These drug-resistant germs, also known as superbugs, are currently putting millions of people at risk of developing a life-threatening, untreatable infection. Globally, 4.71 million deaths were associated with bacterial AMR in 2021, and this number is projected to grow substantially into the future.

The primary objectives of this research were to assess voter awareness of AMR, its effects, and preventive measures, as well as to determine the level of reliance on antimicrobial medications and their efficacy. Additionally, the survey aimed to identify whether voters perceive AMR as a current threat and/or growing threat. Furthermore, the study sought to evaluate familiarity with the PASTEUR Act and gauge voters’ support for congressional efforts to pass the bill.

The survey revealed that while there is some understanding of the dangers of infections, awareness of AMR and its effects remains low. Only 37% of voters were familiar with the term “AMR,” while a staggering 44% had no knowledge of it. Furthermore, of those claiming they are aware, 21% provided incorrect descriptions of AMR. These findings highlight the urgent need for increased education and awareness surrounding this critical issue.

Once informed about AMR, the majority of voters recognized it as a major problem and a potential threat to the population. Across party lines, a staggering 70% perceived AMR as a significant issue (73% of Democrats, 68% of Republicans, and 67% of Independents), with 80% believing it poses a threat to the entire population (82% of Democrats, 78% of Republicans, and 79% of Independents). Moreover, 67% of respondents believed that the AMR problem is escalating. Overuse of antibiotics and failure to complete antibiotic courses were identified as major concerns by approximately 60% of participants. Additionally, around two-thirds expressed worry about the ability to develop new drugs to combat infections.

The survey also shed light on voters’ support for the PASTEUR Act and elected officials who champion its passage. The PASTEUR Act is a piece of federal legislation that seeks to slow and stop the growing problem of AMR by encouraging the development of new drugs and protecting the ones we already have, ensuring that medications continue to work effectively against infectious germs. While initial awareness of the bill was low, with only 18% somewhat or very familiar with it, an overwhelming 90% of respondents expressed support for the PASTEUR Act after learning more about it (94% of Democrats, 87% of Republicans, and 88% of Independents). Impressively, there was high bipartisan agreement, with 86% of voters claiming they would back a Congress member working towards passing the bill. Notably, supporters of the PASTEUR Act were significantly more likely to hold elected officials responsible for addressing AMR than those who did not support the PASTEUR Act.

The broad support for the PASTEUR Act among registered voters, coupled with their expectation that elected officials take responsibility for addressing AMR, provides a promising foundation for future legislative efforts around AMR.

Finally, a significant challenge identified by the survey is the improper use of antimicrobials. A considerable proportion of voters either failed to complete the full course of prescribed antibiotics or experienced initial treatment failure, necessitating additional medications. In the past 12 months, 21% of respondents personally took antimicrobials, and 14% had a loved one who required them. Alarmingly, 10% of those who initiated antimicrobial treatment did not complete the full course, and more than 1 in 10 experienced treatment failure with their initial prescription.

 

The survey was conducted by Radius Global Market Research on behalf of Sepsis Alliance. among 2,021 registered voters, representative of the U.S. Census for age, gender, region, race/ethnicity, and income.

 

For more information on the survey findings and Sepsis Alliance’s ongoing initiatives to combat AMR, please visit EndSuperbugs.org.

 

Funding for this survey was provided through a grant from PhRMA.

 

Click here for the full report.

 

Click here to access additional AMR information and educational materials.