Comparing the Antimicrobial Resistance Crisis to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: A Randomized Public Health Messaging Experiment

This study evaluated whether comparing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to the COVID-19 pandemic improves public understanding and reduces unnecessary antibiotic-seeking behavior. In a randomized survey among US adults, participants received either a standard AMR message, a COVID-19 comparison, or visual graphics linking AMR to COVID-19. The results showed no significant impact of these messages on intentions to visit a clinician or request antibiotics for a viral infection, indicating that the COVID-19 analogy is not an effective communication strategy. Instead, individual factors—such as age, prior antibiotic use, and general care-seeking behavior—were stronger predictors of antibiotic demand.