Antibiotics Only When Needed (O.W.N.)
The Minnesota Department of Health developed this campaign and its graphic elements to increase awareness of appropriate antibiotic use and prevent antibiotic resistance. Please use these graphics and resources to improve antibiotic use in your community.
On this page:
What Everyone Can Do
Minnesota Stories
Downloadable Graphic Elements
Contact
What Everyone Can Do
Antibiotics are lifesaving drugs that treat infections caused by bacteria. Using antibiotics when they are not necessary – especially for viral infections like the common cold and flu – make some infections very difficult to treat. For everyone's health, we must use antibiotics only when needed (O.W.N.).
One Health is the understanding that the health of humans, animals, and the environment is connected. From the doctor’s office, to the veterinary clinic, and even to the homes of Minnesotans, we can all improve how we use antibiotics. Antibiotics O.W.N. is relevant to us all.
Steps to prevent antibiotic resistance:
- Prevent infections through handwashing, vaccination, and food safety.
- Ask your provider how you can get symptom relief without antibiotics.
- Properly dispose of leftover medications at a take back box. Do not throw them away or flush them down the toilet or drain.
- Never pressure your health care provider or veterinarian to prescribe antibiotics.
- Take antibiotics exactly as prescribed, never save antibiotics for the next time you get sick, and never take antibiotics prescribed for someone else.
Help us promote the “Antibiotics Only When Needed” message in your community. Talk to your friends, family, coworkers, and more about this important issue.
Additional Resources:
U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week
U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week is observed annually during November 18–24 to bring attention to the critical role antibiotics play in human health, environmental health, animal health, and beyond.
- Antibiotic Awareness Week Proclamation (PDF)
Governor Walz proclaimed Nov. 18-24 as Antibiotic Awareness Week - Subscribe to One Health Antibiotic Stewardship Collaborative Updates
Email updates with antibiotic stewardship news, resources, and stories
Resources
- One Health Antibiotic Stewardship Resources and Print Materials
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Antimicrobial Use and Resistance
- Prescribing Antibiotics in Outpatient Settings during the COVID-19 Pandemic (PDF)
- UMN College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM): Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship Initiative
- UMN CVM: Antimicrobial Resistance Learning Site
- CDC: Antibiotic Prescribing and Use
- CDC: Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship
- CDC: Be Antibiotics Aware Partner Toolkit
Minnesota Stories
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Stories of Antibiotic Use and Resistance |
Downloadable Graphic Elements
Health professionals and partner organizations have an important role to play in combating antibiotic resistance. Include these graphics on your website, resources, social media messages, and more. Do not alter graphics in any way.
Please visit MDH Branding for more information on general standards, color palletes, and file formats. If you have any questions regarding proper use of these graphic elements, contact health.stewardship@state.mn.us or call 651-201-5414.
To save a PNG file, right-click the blue underlined hyperlink and select "Save target as..." or "Save link as...".
O.W.N. Symbol
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PNG - screen resolution PNG - high resolution EPS - Adobe Illustrator |
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O.W.N. Graphic
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PNG - screen resolution PNG - high resolution EPS - Adobe Illustrator |
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O.W.N. Graphic for Companion Animal Partners
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PNG - screen resolution PNG - high resolution EPS - Adobe Illustrator |
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O.W.N. Graphic for Partners Outside of Health Care
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PNG - screen resolution PNG - high resolution EPS - Adobe Illustrator |
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Contact
If you have questions or need technical assistance, please contact health.stewardship@state.mn.us.
