Each day, infectious diseases physicians and scientists serve on the front lines in protecting us from such threats. IDSA advances US preparedness and response initiatives by promoting appropriate action by health care providers, strengthened public health and research efforts, development of life-saving countermeasures (vaccines, drugs and diagnostics), and implementation of appropriate non-therapeutic control measures.

IDSA Global Health on Antimicrobial Resistance (PDF) The development of medicines that control bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi ushered in the era of modern medicine over the last century. The new antimicrobial drugs not only curbed the toll of infectious diseases, but by improving the safety of surgery, hospital procedures and treatment for cancers, enabled medical care to which millions of people worldwide have owed their lives and longevity. Starting with the 1928 discovery of penicillin, advances in antibiotics led to an array of medicines that a 1975 New York Academy of Medicine summary described as “an embarrassment” of choices.

Fair and adequate reimbursement for infectious diseases physicians is a key IDSA policy priority. The Society also advocates for access to appropriate treatments for patients with serious infections and for medical liability reform. IDSA’s positions on specific reimbursement and access issues that impact the practice of infectious diseases and Advocacy Alerts to key policy priorities are provided below. 

Despite advances in diagnostic technology, there is an urgent need for tests that are easy to use, identify the microbe causing the infection, determine whether it is drug resistant, and provide results faster than current tests. Faster, more accurate tests would help ensure that patients are receiving the best treatment for a variety of infectious diseases, guide more effective infection control practices, and improve the tracking of outbreaks. Better tests would also help protect our dwindling supply of effective antibiotics by reducing their misuse. Infectious disease physicians serve as a critical bridge between the laboratory and other health care providers to ensure the proper use and interpretation of diagnostic testing. IDSA is committed to supporting improved diagnostics including providing recommendations to spur research and development of new tests, and encouraging their use in patient care and public health.

IDSA’s funding priorities include antimicrobial resistance; immunizations; drug, vaccine and diagnostics development; and HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis prevention and treatment.