Harrisburg, PA – The Wolf Administration today announced the winners of the statewide “Be Antibiotics Aware” art and video competition, which raises awareness about safe antibiotic use, the dangers of overusing this type of medicine and the importance of staying healthy.
“Each year, it is estimated that more than two million Americans experience health complications due to antibiotic resistance,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said. “Antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses. This annual competition is a great way to educate children on the proper use of antibiotics and to make them aware that this medicine is not always the right tool to use when they are sick.
This is the seventh year the department has hosted an art competition; the second it’s hosted a video competition. The competition was promoted to teachers, students, parents and other school officials throughout the state using the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s electronic notification system, the state library system, museums and childcare facilities.
The department’s Healthcare Associated Infection Prevention/Antibiotic Stewardship (HAIP/AS) program, within the Bureau of Epidemiology, leads coordination on the competition. The HAIP/AS program was established to reduce health care associated infections and promote careful use of antibiotics.
The department holds these competitions every year to give Pennsylvania children the opportunity to display their creativity and spread the word about the importance of appropriate antibiotic use.
The HAIP/AS program aims to increase antibiotic awareness and education through efforts such as such as this children’s video competition.
For more information on the Be Antibiotic Aware art and video competition or the HAIS/AS program, visit www.health.pa.gov or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
MEDIA CONTACT: Nate Wardle, 717-787-1783 or ra-dhpressoffice@pa.gov
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Editor’s Note: The competitions’ award winners and their videos, if applicable, are below:
Video Competition
First place: Abbie Morgan, Sunbury, 10th grade- Antibiotics, Only Take Them IF U Need Them
Second place: Luis Vasquez, Summer Zito and Natalie Burgos, Hazelton, 12th Grade- STEM_Antibiotic Awareness
Third place (tie): Ariel Slowik and Caitlyn Sotack, Drums, 11th Grade- Taking Antibiotics; and Julia McNelis and Gloria Sporea, Hazelton, 11th Grade- Pharm in my feelings
Art Competition
First and second grade
First place: Kylie Copeland, Allentown, 2nd Grade
Second place: Summer Hunt, Erie, 2nd Grade
Third place: Nylani Reyes, Philadelphia, 1st Grade
Third, fourth and fifth grade
First place: Sienna C. Minnick, North Huntingdon, 5th Grade
Second place: Vincent Savini, Annville, 3rd Grade
Third place: Summer Pavlik, Latrobe, 5th Grade