INVESTIGATING HOW SOCIAL DETERMINANTS IMPACT ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE AMONG US-MEXICO BORDER COMMUNITIES: A LITERATURE REVIEW AND PROGRAM PLAN

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance (AR) is a major public health concern driven by self-medication and misuse of antibiotics. AR is more likely to impact communities with low socioeconomic status due to low insurance rates affecting healthcare access, causing increased non-prescription antibiotic use. Communities along the US-Mexico border present a unique risk of AR because of the high volume of bidirectional healthcare treatment occurring annually. Despite AR becoming a rising public health threat, there is still a lack of awareness and education in communities surrounding this issue. Through a thorough literature review of AR trends, awareness surveys, and antibiotic stewardship programs, it’s clear that US-Mexico border communities present a unique risk for establishing habits that lead to AR. It’s crucial for a prevention program to be created that incorporates education initiatives for both community members and clinicians. By providing individualized support and resources to these groups, AR rates have the potential to improve, positively impacting health outcomes in US-Mexico border communities.