Pew Health Expert: Laura Rogers

Bibliography on Antibiotic Resistance and Food Animal Production

This bibliography lists the latest published scientific and economic literature concerning the contribution of routine antibiotic use in food animals to the growing public health crisis of human antibiotic resistance. Research on how antibiotic use in food animal production contributes to the growing health crisis of antibiotic resistance dates back more than 30 years.

Pew Commends Senators Gillibrand and Feinstein for Working to Shine Light on Antibiotics Practices

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee today adopted the Animal Drug User Fee Act, which failed to include provisions from Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) that would improve the Food and Drug Administration's annual reporting of antibiotic sales for use on industrial farms.

Pew Applauds New Antibiotics Legislation

The Pew Charitable Trusts today applauded Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) for introducing the Delivering Antimicrobial Transparency in Animals (DATA) Act (H.R. 820) in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill would authorize the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to collect and report data that would shed light on how antibiotics are being used on industrial farms.

A New Year's Resolution: Put Animals on an Antibiotics Diet

As Americans ring in the new year, many of us will resolve to get healthy. Meat and poultry producers can help -- by making a resolution to put their farm animals on an antibiotics diet.

''The One Issue Food Activists Should Focus On''

''Ask a dozen food activists what political change they want to see in 2013 and you’ll get a dozen different answers, maybe two dozen: Restrict sodium in packaged foods. Label genetically modified ingredients. End subsidies to big farms. All are critical. What did meet all the requirements was this: Get antibiotics off the farm and out of the food supply."

Pew Comments on Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking ''Antimicrobial Animal Drug Sales and Distribution Reporting''

The Pew Campaign on Human Health and Industrial Farming submitted a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, urging the FDA to strengthen regulations pertaining to record-keeping and public reporting of antibiotic use in food animal production.

Pew Comments on Proposed Antibiotics Legislation

Laura Rogers, project director for the Pew Campaign on Human Health and Industrial Farming, issued a statement in support of legislation proposed by Rep. Henry Waxman’s (D-CA) that would enable the FDA and the public to verify whether the agency's efforts toward providing guidance on limiting the overuse and misuse of antibiotics are actually working.

A Supermom Goes to Washington

Everly Macario lost her son Simon to a drug-resistant infection when he was only one-and-a-half years old. Since then, she’s been a strong voice in the fight to conserve antibiotics.

''Dear F.D.A.: Stop Drugging Animals''

"The comment period for the F.D.A.’s ruling on antibiotic use in animals closed yesterday, and at least 200,000 people have told the agency that the routine use of drugs in animal rearing must be restricted. The agency, which has stalled on this for 30 years, has been ordered by two judges to act now."

Supermoms Take on Washington to Protect Life-Saving Antibiotics

A special thank you message from the Pew Campaign on Human Health and Industrial Farming

“Supermoms Against Superbugs” Take Washington by Storm

Moms from Maine to Hawaii have come to Washington, D.C., today to press the Obama Administration and Congress to do more to rein in the overuse of antibiotics on America’s industrial farms, a practice that breeds antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

A Mother Fights Against Antibiotic Resistance

Chicago-based mother Everly Macario describes her drive to curb overuse of antibiotics after losing her son to an antibiotic-resistant infection.

Expert Profile: Laura Rogers

Laura Rogers, Project Director, Pew Campaign on Human Health and Industrial Farming

Moms for Antibiotic Awareness March Newsletter (2012)

Below is your March 2012 newsletter from Moms for Antibiotic Awarness. In this edition: "Supermoms Against Superbugs" Take Washington By Storm Contest!; FDA Finds Rise in Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria on Meat and Poultry

Save Antibiotics March Newsletter (2012)

Below is your March 2012 newsletter from the Pew Campaign on Human Health and Industrial Farming. In this edition: "Supermoms Against Superbugs" Take Washington By Storm Contest!, FDA Finds Rise in Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria on Meat and Poultry

Moms for Antibiotic Awareness February Newsletter (2012)

In this edition: Urgent Action Opportunity: Sign "We The People" Petition, FDA Takes Measures to Preserve Effectiveness of Cephalosporins, and HHIF Staff Visits the CDC.

Save Antibiotics February Newsletter (2012)

In this edition: Urgent Action Opportunity: Sign "We The People" Petition, FDA Takes Measures to Preserve Effectiveness of Cephalosporins, and HHIF Staff Visits the CDC.

''FDA changing course on antibiotics in livestock''

"The debate over the drug use in food animals continues as federal regulators tackle the issues of drug-resistance and shorter supplies."

Pew Applauds FDA Measure to Preserve Effectiveness of Critical Antibiotics

The Pew Campaign on Human Health and Industrial Farming today praised the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for limiting the use of cephalosporins in food animal production.

''FDA curbs use of certain antibiotics in animals''

"After long delays, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an order today prohibiting certain uses of the cephalosporin class of antimicrobial drugs in cattle, swine, chickens and turkeys."

''Citing Drug Resistance, U.S. Restricts More Antibiotics for Livestock''

Federal drug regulators announced on Wednesday that farmers and ranchers must restrict their use of a critical class of antibiotics in cattle, pigs, chickens, and turkeys because such practices may have contributed to the growing threat in people of bacterial infections that are resistant to treatment.

''FDA limits some antibiotics in livestock''

"The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday ordered farmers to limit the use of a type of antibiotics they give livestock because it could make people more resistant to a key antibiotic that can save lives, encouraging news for public health advocates who say such animal antibiotics are overused."

''Amish-raised chicken on CPS lunch menu''

"Drumsticks from chickens raised on Amish farms without the use of antibiotics will be served at the 473 schools catered by Chartwells-Thompson. The company plans to buy about 1.2 million pounds of unprocessed Amish chicken this year for CPS, the largest district in the nation to make such a commitment."

Chicago Public Schools Largest District to Serve Chicken Raised without Antibiotics

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) today began serving local chicken raised without antibiotics to students in 473 schools. This development comes on the heels of a fresh chicken purchase direct from the USDA earlier this fall.

''Rising antibiotic use on farms prompts renewed push for federal restrictions''

"Public health advocates are renewing their push for stronger restrictions on antibiotics in food production after a Pew Health Group analysis of federal data found that their use was up 6.7 percent in 2010."

New Ad: The Facts are Clear

Hundreds of scientific studies conducted over four decades have shown that feeding low doses of antibiotics to healthy food animals leads to drug-resistant infections in people. In fact, America’s leading medical, scientific and public health organizations have been warning of the danger for years.

Joint letter on State of the Science Regarding Antibiotic Use in Food Animals

The undersigned medical and public health organizations wish to clarify misinformation and confusion about the state of scientific knowledge concerning the contribution of animal agriculture to human antibiotic resistance.

Pew Applauds Introduction of Bipartisan Bill in Senate to Preserve Effectiveness of Antibiotics

The Pew Campaign on Human Health and Industrial Farming (HHIF) today applauded U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) for introducing S. 1211, the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act of 2011 (PAMTA). The bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to withdraw seven classes of antibiotics critical for treating infections in humans from use on industrial farms unless animals or herds are sick with disease.

Joint letter on pending FDA rule to ban the extra-label use of cephalosporins in food animal production

We, the undersigned groups, are writing to ask you to quickly move forward with issuing a revised order of prohibition on extra-label use of cephalosporin drugs in food-producing animals as stated in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Strategic Priorities for 2011-2015.

Did You Know? Get the Facts on Antibiotic Resistance

Up to 70 percent of all antibiotics sold in the U.S. are used on industrial farms in healthy food animals, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. This makes the U.S. one of the biggest users of antibiotics in food animal production in the world.

What Moms Need to Know About Antibiotic Resistance and Food Animal Production

The antibiotics our families depend on to treat dangerous infections are rapidly losing their effectiveness, posing a particular threat to our children, the elderly and people with chronic diseases. Part of the problem has been the misuse of these drugs in humans, but another key contributor is
antibiotic overuse in food animal production.

Moms Across America Uniting to Preserve Effectiveness of Antibiotics

The Pew Campaign on Human Health and Industrial Farming today launched "Moms for Antibiotic Awareness," a grassroots movement of moms working to preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics for their children and families.

Pew Applauds Introduction of Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act of 2011

The Pew Campaign on Human Health and Industrial Farming (HHIF) today applauded U.S. Representative Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) for introducing H.R. 965, the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act of 2011 (PAMTA). The bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to withdraw seven classes of antibiotics critical for treating infections in humans from use on industrial farms unless animals or herds are sick with disease.

Health Care and the Antibiotic Resistance Crisis

Many public health officials and medical organizations are increasingly concerned about the rising incidence of antibiotic-resistant infections in the United States. According to the Interagency Task Force on Antimicrobial Resistance, unless antibiotic resistance ―problems are detected as they emerge—and actions are taken quickly to contain them—the world may soon be faced with previously treatable diseases that have again become untreatable, as in the pre-antibiotic era.

Avoiding Antibiotic Resistance: Denmark's Ban on Growth Promoting Antibiotics in Food Animals

Recognizing the potential for a health crisis, Denmark began restricting the administration of antibiotics used for growth promotion (i.e., non-medical uses) in cattle, broiler chickens and swine in 1998. The World Health Organization found that the ban reduced human health risk without significantly harming animal health or farmers' incomes.

Effects of Banning the Use of Antibiotics as Growth Promoters in Denmark and Scandinavia

A listing of major reports and journal articles regarding the effects of banning the use of antibiotics as food animal growth promoters in Denmark and Scandinavia.

Official Text: Hearing on Antibiotic Resistance and the use of Antibiotics in Animal Agriculture

The CDC lists control over infectious disease as one of its top 10 great public health achievements of the last century, and antimicrobials are crucial to that accomplishment. And yet we must collectively be alarmed that we are undermining the power of antibiotics by failing to use them judiciously.

Supporting Materials: Hearing on Antibiotic Resistance and the use of Antibiotics in Animal Agriculture

On July 14, 2010, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing to examine the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture. View PDF files of some of the materials entered into the hearing record by organizations and health and agricultural professionals.

Pew and Health Care Without Harm Hold Audio News Conference Calling for an End to the Overuse of Antibiotics in Food Animals

On the eve of a July 14 hearing conducted by the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health to examine the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture, the Pew Campaign on Human Health and Industrial Farming, in collaboration with Health Care Without Harm, held an audio news conference on the need to end the overuse of these drugs in meat production.

Pew Calls FDA Announcement a Small, Overdue Step Towards Ending the Overuse of Antibiotics in Food Animal Production

Laura Rogers, project director of the Pew Campaign on Human Health and Industrial Farming, issued the following statement today on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) draft guidance on "The Judicious Use of Medically Important Antimicrobial Drugs in Food-Producing Animals."

''FDA Recommends New Limits on Livestock Drugs''

To prevent development of drug-resistant bacteria that could infect people, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended on Monday that livestock farmers use the drugs solely to cure or prevent disease in animals, phasing out their use to promote growth.

Capitol Hill Briefing: Reducing Antibiotic Resistance

On May 5, 2010, Pew hosted a briefing on Capitol Hill in collaboration with Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Rep. Louise Slaughter, and Rep. Howard Berman. Panelists included an official from the World Health Organization, a veterinarian from Denmark's Technical University, the proprietor of a Danish hog farm and a scientist from Denmark's State Serum Institute.

Pew Statement on Congressional Hearing Regarding Antibiotic Resistance and the Threat to Public Health

Laura Rogers, project director of the Pew Campaign on Human Health and Industrial Farming, issued the following statement today, commenting on a hearing of the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health, where representatives of the Obama administration are expected to present testimony regarding the need to protect Americans from the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.

Testimony: House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies

Antibiotic-resistant infections have been identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as one of the top public health challenges in the United States. Massive use of medically important antibiotics like penicillin and tetracycline in food animal production is a significant contributor to this problem.

Capitol Hill Briefing: Alternatives to Routine Antibiotic Use in Food Animals

On March 2, 2010, Pew hosted a briefing on Capitol Hill with Bill Niman, founder of Niman Ranch; Steve Ells, co-CEO of Chipotle Mexican Grill; and other successful livestock producers and businesspeople who discussed how they sustain profitable ventures based on antibiotic-free meat production.

Antibiotic-Free Food Animal Production

As a result of increasing consumer demand, organic products have become more mainstream, appearing now in an estimated 73 percent of grocery stores.As availability of organic products has grown, consumption patterns have shifted to reflect this availability. Where consumption of organic goods used to be the lifestyle choice of a small group of consumers, today more than two-thirds of Americans admit to purchasing organic products occasionally.

How Antibiotic Resistance Happens

Frequent, low doses of antibiotics that are not strong enough to kill all bacteria encourage some bacteria to develop means of survival, or to become “resistant.”

Comprehensive Fact Sheet: Denmark’s Ban on Growth Promoting Antibiotics in Food Animals

In human medicine, antibiotic use is generally confined to treatment of illness. In contrast, antibiotics and other antimicrobials (drugs that kill microorganisms like bacteria) often are routinely given to food animals in the U.S. in order to grow animals faster and to compensate for unsanitary conditions on many industrial farms.

Industrial Farms and Antibiotic Resistance

Basic information on antibiotics, their use on industrial animal farms, and the problem of antibiotic resistance from the Pew Campaign on Human Health and Industrial Farming.

Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in Animals and Unnecessary Human Health Risks

In the United States, many food animals—poultry, swine and cattle—are routinely treated with antibiotics in order to grow animals faster and to compensate for unsanitary conditions on many industrial farms. Recently, major increases in antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections in human populations have led to public health concerns regarding antibiotic use for non-therapeutic purposes (i.e., not used to treat disease) in animals destined for food production.

Antibiotic Resistance and the Industrial Animal Farm

Antibiotics are commonly prescribed drugs that kill bacteria or suppress their ability to grow, allowing the human immune system to respond and heal from illness. Antibiotic resistance is a dangerous bacterial trait which enables bacteria to survive and continue to grow instead of being inhibited or destroyed by therapeutic doses of the drug. As a result, antibiotic-resistant bacteria can evade the effects of the antibiotic and multiply, with severe consequences for human health.

Food Safety and the Antibiotic Resistance Crisis

According to a first-ever study by professors at the University of Regina in the United Kingdom, U.S. food safety ranks seventh or “average” among 17 other industrialized nations. At least 76 million cases of food-borne disease occur each year in the U.S. While many health problems caused by contaminated food are not serious, some food-borne infections are much more dangerous, leading to convulsions, premature delivery and miscarriage, sepsis, or even death.

Important Human Medicines Used on Industrial Farms

Industrial animal farms commonly administer low doses of antibiotics and other antimicrobials (drugs that fight microorganisms like bacteria and viruses) to pigs, cows, chickens, sheep, and other food animal species for the purpose of growth promotion or weight gain. Typically, these sub-therapeutic doses, which are generally not high enough to fight active diseases or infections, are given directly to animals in their feed or water.

Charts Displaying Denmark's Decline in Antibiotic Resistance

These charts summarize Denmark's decline in antibiotic usage and antibiotic resistance, as well as the increase of livestock and poultry production after a ban on the nontheraputic use of antibiotics and antimicrobial drugs in food production animals.

Capitol Hill Briefing: Industrial Animal Farms and Worker Health and Safety

On December 17, 2009, Pew hosted a briefing on Capitol Hill in collaboration with Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva, Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Leading experts discussed the public health and sociological effects of industrial farm animal production for farm workers and rural communities.

Letter from Danish Chief Veterinarian to Congress

In Denmark the termination of non-therapeutic use of antimicrobials for growth promotion has not caused any negative impact on the animal production. The Danish animal food industry has continued to improve its productivity and to increase its output.

''What Can Danish Hogs Teach Us About Antibiotics?''

"Beautiful Denmark is known throughout the world for its pastries, furniture design and ham. Yes, ham. Denmark is the largest exporter of pork in the world. The country, not much larger than Massachusetts, produces more than 26 million hogs

Letter from Danish Technical University Professor to Speaker Nancy Pelosi

We have just had the pleasure of meeting with a delegation consisting of four members of the House of Representatives, where we presented our data on the effects of the stop for nontherapeutic use of antimicrobials for food animals in Denmark.We know that various rumours and sometimes “creative” interpretations of what has taken place in Denmark have been circulated to members of the US Congress, and we are grateful for having been given this opportunity to correct some of these stories.

Letter to the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy

Our combined memberships include the country’s foremost scientific and medical experts and represent more than eleven million concerned Americans and health professionals. Our position is based on objective health interests and concerns that dangerous drug resistant infections are rapidly increasing in hospitals and community settings adding to the economic burden of the U.S. healthcare costs.

Pew letter to the FDA in response to their public recognition of animal agriculture's contribution to antimicrobial resistance

The Pew Campaign on Human Health and Industrial Farming (Pew) would like to extend our sincere thanks to you both for taking the time to meet with us on June 23 to discuss the contribution of animal agriculture to the growing public health crisis of antimicrobial resistance. We are deeply appreciative not only of your consideration of our viewpoints, but also the expertise and dedication that you bring to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Testimony: Robert P. Martin Before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Rules

Testimony from Robert P. Martin, Senior Officer, Pew Environment Group, before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Rules regarding the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (PAMTA).

Pew Calls FDA Testimony on Use of Antibiotics on Industrial Farms a Key First Step, More is Needed

Laura Rogers, director of the Pew Campaign on Human Health and Industrial Farming issued the following statement today, commenting on the testimony of FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner Joshua M. Sharfstein, in which he said that antibiotics used on industrial farms should be phased out for growth promotion and feed efficacy, and should be more rigorously overseen for disease control and prevention.

No Economic Advantage to Industrialized Pork Production

In October 2008, a panel formed to conduct a comprehensive, fact-based examination of key aspects of the farm animal industry. The report found that the current industrial method of raising pigs for food carries no economic advantage over more natural pig farming. The researchers determined that when the costs to society and communities are taken into account – particularly the costs of waste treatment - industrial animal production actually carries a higher price tag.

Pew Applauds Introduction of Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act

Nearly one year after the Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production released its landmark recommendations on how America should reform the way food animals are raised, U.S. Representative Louise Slaughter today introduced the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act of 2009 (PAMTA).

Teleconference on Legislation to Help Curtail Overuse of Antibiotics on Factory Farms

Chipotle restaurant CEO joins Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and leading antibiotic expert to discuss the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act of 2009.

''End misuse of antibiotics''

"While your editorial ('Delmarva travel warning,' Tuesday) made light of the dangers of driving behind trucks transporting intensively raised chickens..."

Statement from The Pew Charitable Trusts on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's reversal on antibiotics safeguards in animal farming

Laura Rogers, project director for the Pew Campaign on Human Health and Industrial Farming, today issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's decision to reverse its plan to ban off-label usage of certain antibiotics in animal agriculture.

Putting Meat on the Table

The current industrial farm animal production system often poses unacceptable risks to public health, the environment and the welfare of the animals themselves, according to an extensive two and a half year examination conducted by the Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production.

New Ad Campaign Asks D.C. Commuters ''Who's Hogging Our Antibiotics?''

Who's hogging our antibiotics? That's the question a new advertising campaign is posing to area commuters and people visiting Capitol Hill.