In recent weeks we've heard much about MRSA, the antibiotic resistant staph that seemingly appeared out of nowhere. Well, it didn't just come out of nowhere. It's been known for almost 50 years, and deaths of children from MRSA were documented in the 1990's, if not earlier.

Are we seeing an epidemic, or just a conscious raising due to mass media coverage? Official statistics are not kept on MRSA cases, so we have no way of knowing. But logic would tell us it is a combination of both.

MRSA has been a big problem in hospitals and nursing homes for several years, reaching almost crisis proportions in Great Britain in the mid 2000's. Community Acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) is more recent and worrisome. It has been shown to be even more drug resistant than Hospital Acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA).

With at least four deaths of children reported in the US since the school year began, and countless other near death cases, there is no doubt CA-MRSA is a growing threat. School administrators are trying to calm parent's fears with extra cleanings and assurances that MRSA is an overstated concern.

Most of the solutions offered are only "skin deep." Frequent handwashing and not sharing personal items are good as far as they go, but aren't sufficient. Calls for "better drugs" only show that many in positions of influence don't understand how we got MRSA in the first place.

The MRSA staph "crisis" shows up exactly what is wrong with reliance on the crisis model of medical care to "fix" problems when they show up. The complimentary call for new vaccines is no better. Vaccines are no panacea, and there is good evidence they are part of the problem. We need to address root causes and not fight symptoms.

The rash of pharmaceutical lawsuits and the irony of MRSA staph nesting at the center of our crisis medical system, the hospital, seems to be lost on our institutional "leaders." We need a dose of reality.

Staph and MRSA are all around us. Many of us are carriers who are never harmed. That tells us that a strong immune system is key to avoiding MRSA. That isn't the "quick fix" solution most of us want. But it is the only sensible one. While there are no guarantees in life, building a strong immune system doesn't require a disclaimer about side effects.

The Natural Health Co-op is dedicated to finding real solutions. Solutions that build from the ground up on a good foundation. We're looking to bring together people to share information about how to do that. Because health isn't just a private concern. We're all in this together.