> It appears that overprescribing existing antibiotics to people and livestock is a leading cause of rising drug resistance, both of which can be addressed by policy changes.
About 80% of antibiotics sold in the US are used in agriculture[1], where they are given to animals not to treat infections, but to prevent them and to stimulate growth.
Over 60% of infectious disease in humans are spread from animals, and 75% of new diseases in humans are spread from animals[2].
About 80% of antibiotics sold in the US are used in agriculture[1], where they are given to animals not to treat infections, but to prevent them and to stimulate growth.
Over 60% of infectious disease in humans are spread from animals, and 75% of new diseases in humans are spread from animals[2].
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4638249/
[2] https://www.cdc.gov/onehealth/basics/zoonotic-diseases.html