By: Abigail McCleery, MPH, RD

There is a growing body of evidence linking antibiotic resistance to the overuse of antibiotics in animal agriculture, presenting a serious risk to human health.  It is estimated that antibiotic resistant infections cost the U.S. health care system of over $20 billion each year, and close to 19,000 deaths occur annually from methicillin-resistant Staphyloccocus aureus (MRSA).  To combat this antibiotic resistance crisis, forward-thinking hospitals are expanding their roles as stewards of antibiotics by using their purchasing power and moral authority to change both markets and policies to support suppliers who don’t misuse these medicines.  Here at St Joes, we are proud to serve Harvestland chicken raised without the use of sub-therapeutic antibiotics in The Market Cafe as well as in patient meals.  We also use Boar’s Head all-natural beef, turkey and ham in the sandwiches and salads for our patients.  We will soon propose the phase out of all procurement of meat produced with the use of sub-therapeutic antibiotics.  We encourage you to vote with your wallet, and reduce or eliminate your purchases of meat raised with sub-therapeutic antibiotics!   If you would like to learn more about this subject, please explore the following links:   https://noharm-uscanada.org/issues/us-canada/antibiotics   http://www.cdc.gov/narms/faq.html   To find sustainable food in your area, search the Eat Well Guide: http://www.eatwellguide.org/i.php?pd=Home