As the swine flu crisis nears pandemic proportions, millions worldwide brace for possible exposure to a virus more dangerous than many other flu bugs — a virus so dangerous it could kill.

But while fighting swine flu is vital, in some ways the media coverage of it and public panic toward it are disproportionate, at least in the context of other deadly infections which assail us daily and rarely are noted on the public radar that swine flu now commands.

These other afflictions are varied and many, but they include what is virtually a hidden epidemic: hospital acquired infections.

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In this election year, there’s much talk of hope, as there should be in any campaign season. After all, without some hope, why bother voting for either side? But hope isn’t solely about society or the world improving. Sometimes it’s closer to home — wherever that home may be. And as millions of Americans ease into their elder years, that home, for many, will become a nursing home. And that’s where hope gets tricky.

Nursing home abuse and nursing home neglect have been common in America for decades. While many nursing homes and assisted living facilities are deservedly reputable, many others — too many others — are not, often due to underpaid, undertrained and overworked staff. (more…)

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