This holiday season, we can give thanks that antibiotics still work, for most of us, most of the time. But now the CDC is sounding the alarm. The post-antibiotic era -- when people contract infections that cant be treated and die instead -- is much closer than most of us have realized. For those who die each year, its already here. When we expose bacteria to antibiotics, a few survive and resistance spreads. Antibiotic overuse in both our food and health systems, unchecked, will soon render antibiotics obsolete. Demand national emergency action to preserve our nations antibiotics! Consumer Reports has been sounding the alarm for years. In our tests of chicken, pork and turkey, we bought meat from supermarkets around the country, tested it, and found antibiotic resistant strains. The American meat and chicken industry relies heavily on the overuse of antibiotics to speed growth and help animals survive filthy, crowded conditions. That must end. Doctors and hospitals overprescribe too. According to the CDC, up to 50% of all the antibiotics prescribed for people are not needed or are not optimally effective as prescribed. Every time we take antibiotics we dont need, we risk producing resistant strains with no benefit to our own health. Doctors know better, or they should. Emergency action to stop overuse and save our nations antibiotics wont take an act of Congress (maybe we can give thanks for that too)! Tell the heads of USDA and our Health and Human Services system to take immediate action, using the powers they already have. Then forward this email to friends and family so join our movement to save our nations antibiotics for human health. Sincerely, Jim Guest President, Consumer Reports 101 Truman Ave Yonkers, NY 10703-1057
Posted on: Tue, 19 Nov 2013 04:14:53 +0000
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