Read my latest story, "The All-Nighter", at 52|250.

With all the recent chaotic events in Pakistan and beyond, some stories are necessarily going to be lost in the shuffle.  One story that needs to be resurrected is this: parasitic worms infect more Americans living in poverty than previously believed.

Roundworms may infect close to a quarter of inner city black children, tapeworms are the leading cause of seizures among U.S. Hispanics and other parasitic diseases associated with poor countries are also affecting Americans, a U.S. expert said on Tuesday.

Beyond the ick factor, this information is significant on many levels.  First, it’s another reminder of how terrible conditions are for the poor in the U.S.; they don’t just suffer when a natural disaster comes along.  There is no excuse for such a wealthy nation to leave people exposed to and suffering from the effects of parasites.  And this brings us to second point: how this story illustrates the failings of the for-profit healthcare system.

In the hospitals of Los Angeles, California, neurocysticercosis currently accounts for 10 percent of all seizures presenting to some emergency departments.

It should never get to that point.  If everyone had access to regular preventive care check-ups, parasites would be caught and treated early.   Instead, these infections are placing children (and adults) at great risk for complications.

Finally, there’s the issue of which groups seem to be most affected here.  It isn’t just about class: it’s also about race.  Racial inequality continues to affect Americans today, even on the fundamental level of health.

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