Raising Awareness About the Spread of Resistant Superbugs

The spread of antibiotic-resistant superbugs is an ongoing public health crisis that is only getting worse. Millions of people suffer from infections by resistant germs and tens of thousands of people die each year. While anyone can get a resistant infection, those at most risk are the young, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses who have difficulty fighting off disease. Farm workers and meat plant workers are also at increased risk of infection.

In the U.S., antibiotic resistance is primarily driven by the overuse of antibiotics in both people and animals, with about twice as many antibiotics going to animals as people. In 2022, antibiotic use in food-producing animals increased with even larger increases in some of the most important drugs. This is bad news since more use means more resistant superbugs. The Food and Drug Administration along with other public health agencies recognize the problem of resistant superbugs but are too often unwilling to actually act against the giant meat industry that uses most of the drugs.

FACT is trying to raise awareness of the problem and is working on a series of videos calling for change. FACT’s Safe and Healthy Food Program Coordinator, Madeleine Kleven, has completed the first one which you can watch below. We will be sharing through our channels but would love it if you could check it out and share.