Antibiotic overuse doesn’t just make us vulnerable to minor infections that can become life-threatening when the bacteria have developed resistance against one or more antibiotics, antibiotic use in childhood also appears to be linked to a host of problems well into adulthood.

This is more proof antibiotics needs to be reserved for life-threatening situations, and prescriptions for minor infections and use in animal husbandry must end immediately to curb this growing health threat.

Antibiotic Use in Agriculture Must Be Stopped

Meat raised in confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) is one known source of drug-resistant disease.

A recent mortality and morbidity report¹ by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals how little of an impact they’ve had in their efforts to curb these pathogenic bacteria, with prevalence of some types of drug-resistant bacteria falling while others are taking over in their stead.

In 2014 alone, more than 19,540 Americans contracted confirmed foodborne infections, and 71 of them died as a result.

A report commissioned by UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, estimates that by 2050 antibiotic resistance will have killed 300 million people; the annual global death toll reaching 10 million.²

Moreover, experts are warning we may soon be at a point where virtually ALL antibiotics fail, and once that happens, it will be devastating to modern medicine. So what can you do to minimize your risk? Three recommendations that can help reduce your risk for antibiotic-resistant disease include the following:

  •  Avoid using antibiotics unless your infection is severe enough to warrant it
  •  Stay out of hospitals as much as possible (treatment using medical scopes is particularly risky³), and
  •  Avoid CAFO animal products and remember that nearly all meat served in restaurants or on planes is CAFO