Rise of the Superbugs

The Rise of the Superbugs podcast series explores how antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is becoming more common. It tells the scary (but solvable) story of superbugs. The podcast series, which won Bronze at the Australian Podcast Awards 2022 (in the Educational category) details how superbugs exist in the natural environment but how antimicrobial resistance is increasingly making infections difficult or impossible to treat.

 

The podcast takes a constructive journalism approach to help listeners both understand the problemand be part of the solution. The episodes build listeners’ understanding about AMR in Australia, how it spreads, the impact on the health system and superbugs in the home.

 

Funded by the Australian Research Council (DP170100937), the six-part podcast series combines compelling stories about lived experienceswith evidence-based research to increase awareness about one of the great health threats of the 21stcentury. The World Health Organisation has warned that we are headed towards a post-antibiotic era, naming AMR one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity.

 

There are no confronting pictures of infected sores or lost limbs due to antibiotic resistant infections to turn the audience off. Instead, the podcast focuses on teaching listeners what can be done about superbugs. It uses personal and narrative storytelling techniques combined with rich sound design and composed music to explain a serious health threat in educational and accessible ways that empower and educate listeners to take action.