One Health

Antimicrobial Resistance: The Animal-Human Connection

Antibiotic resistance emerging in livestock and aquaculture threatens human medicine, creating a One Health imperative to reform animal antibiotic use.

Key Facts

Multi-drug resistant bacteria have been found in livestock, water, soil, and food products
The WHO classifies antimicrobial resistance as one of the greatest global health threats
Colistin resistance genes spread globally from pig farming
Denmark reduced antibiotic use by 50% in livestock without economic harm
Human infections with livestock-associated resistant bacteria are documented globally

Welfare Considerations

The animal-human resistance connection illustrates why animal welfare is a One Health issue. Overcrowded, stressful animal conditions require antibiotics to prevent disease; this use selects for resistant bacteria that then threaten human medicine. Improving animal welfare conditions reduces antibiotic dependency and therefore resistance risk, creating benefits across species.

What You Can Do

Support legislation limiting agricultural antibiotic use to treatment of sick animals
Choose animal products from farms with responsible antibiotic stewardship
Advocate for international agreements on agricultural antibiotic reduction
Support One Health research connecting animal welfare, antibiotic use, and human health outcomes