Dan Rather Reports Investigates our Heavy Dependence on Antibiotics - What are the Causes... and the Consequences?

Dan Rather Reports Investigates our Heavy Dependence on Antibiotics - What are the Causes... and the Consequences?

Tonight's program examines the escalating crisis of antibiotic resistance and how it puts every one of us at risk--Tuesday, January 11 at 8:00 p.m. ET

DALLAS, Jan. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Tonight's "Dan Rather Reports" examines the alarming health consequences resulting from the overuse of antibiotics. Every year, more than 90,000 Americans die from "superbugs" that antibiotics cannot treat; these antibiotic-resistant infections, caused directly by the overuse of antibiotics in the U.S., cost us more than $35 billion a year. In tonight's program, Dan Rather investigates the role that doctors, patients, and American culture itself play in precipitating this crisis.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080324/HDNETLOGO)

"Antibiotics are being grossly misused. Antibiotic resistance is mounting at a speed that we cannot control. And why? 'Cause we don't have control over antibiotic use in the country, in the world," said Dr. Stuart Levy, a molecular biologist at the Tufts University School of Medicine. "We don't have adherence to guidelines, which if we had, we could control resistance."

But, while resistance continues to threaten Americans' lives, one country has managed to remain a safe haven from "superbugs." Norway, a global leader in prudent antibiotic use, is the nation with the lowest rate of antibiotic resistant infections in the world. "Dan Rather Reports" travels to Norway to find out how this country has achieved what, for so many others, would be considered a pipe dream.

"In Norway, drug prescription generally is very much seen a societal issue," said Gunnar Simonsen, the director of Norway's national action plan against bacterial resistance.

How can the U.S. mirror Norway's efforts? Find out TONIGHT on "Dan Rather Reports."

"Dan Rather Reports: Addicted to Antibiotics" premieres on HDNet, TONIGHT, Tuesday, January 11 at 8:00 p.m. ET with an encore at 11:00 p.m. ET.

About HDNet

HDNet (www.hd.net) is the independent network with unique and thought-provoking content that appeals to men of all ages and is delivered in true high definition.

HDNet is the exclusive, high definition home for popular, original programming, including the network's Emmy Award winning HD news feature programs, "HDNet World Report," and "Dan Rather Reports," featuring legendary journalist Dan Rather. Only HDNet goes beyond the headlines to deliver real news that is redefining the way we look at our world. HDNet News is provocative, sometimes controversial and always relevant - telling the important stories of our time in-depth, with attitude and with independence. HDNet is also the exclusive high definition home to critically-acclaimed and award winning documentaries airing as part of the "HDNet 'Round The World" series. "NASA on HDNet" presents all live shuttle launches through 2011.

HDNet presents championship sports coverage featuring the best of Mixed Martial Arts with its Friday night series, "HDNet Fights" (www.hdnetfights.com). "HDNet Fights" works with leading MMA promoters including DREAM, Sengoku, King of the Cage, XFC, K-1, K-1 Max, MFC and more. HDNet produces more live Mixed Martial Arts events than any other network and HDNet's "Inside MMA" is the hottest Mixed Martial Arts program on television, giving fans their weekly fix for everything MMA, while "Fighting Words with Mike Straka," goes one-on-one with some of the biggest names in the sport. HDNet also features live coverage of regular season games from the United Football League.

HDNet also delivers the world's largest and most diverse concert line-up through the HDNet Concert Series. The HDNet Concert Series features leading artists and bands including Paul McCartney, Mariah Carey, John Mayer, Nickelback and more. HDNet also features revealing lifestyle programming featuring "Art Mann Presents," "Girls Gone Wild®," "Deadline" and "Get Out!"

Only HDNet Movies (www.hdnetmovies.com) delivers exclusive Sneak Previews of new movies before they hit theaters. The HDNet Movies Sneak Preview series features top Hollywood stars in critically acclaimed performances including Gwyneth Paltrow, Joaquin Phoenix, Demi Moore, Michael Caine, Tom Hanks, Vera Farmiga, Parker Posey, Brian Cox, Matthew Broderick, Kirsten Dunst, Ryan Gosling, John Malkovich, Emily Blunt, Robin Williams, Charlize Theron and Kim Basinger.

In addition to being the exclusive home of Sneak Previews, HDNet Movies viewers enjoy the best films from the classics of the 1950s-1970s, to favorite films from the 1980s and 1990s, to recently released theatrical films.

HDNet Movies offers subscribers a premium movie viewing experience in true HD, and more original movies shot entirely in HD than any other network.

Launched in 2001 by Mark Cuban and General Manager Philip Garvin, the HDNet networks are available in the U.S. via AT&T U-verse, Charter, Comcast, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, and Verizon FiOS and in Canada via Access Communications, Cogeco, Rogers, Shaw Cable and Shaw Direct.

The HDNet networks can be followed via Facebook at facebook.com/HDNet, facebook.com/HDNetFights and facebook.com/HDNetMovies and via Twitter at twitter.com/hdnet, twitter.com/hdnetfights and twitter.com/hdnetmovies.

SOURCE HDNet

Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080324/HDNETLOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
HDNet

CONTACT: Colette Carey of HDNet, +1-303-542-5576, ccarey@hd.net

Web Site: http://www.hdnetmovies.com

-------
Profile: intent