Source: September 1, 2009 -Associated Press, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

A White House report from an expert panel suggests that from 30% to half the population could catch swine flu during the course of this pandemic and that from 30,000 to 90,000 could die. Since it first emerged in April, the global swine flu epidemic has sickened more than 1 million Americans and killed about 500.

So who is most at risk and how do you prepare?

Here are 3 things you need to know…Swine flu is more of a threat to certain groups — children under 2, pregnant women, people with health problems like asthma, diabetes and heart disease. Also, teens and young adults also seem more vulnerable to swine flu.

What to do to lessen the chance of contracting the flu... Wash your hands often and long. Swine flu spreads through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick. Cough or sneese into you sleeve, not you hand. Wash your hands with soap and water long enough to finish singing the alphabet song, "Now I know my ABC's..." Also use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

If you have other health problems or are pregnant and develop flu-like symptoms, call your doctor right away. You may be prescribed Tamiflu or Releza. These drugs can reduce the severity of swine flu if taken right after symptoms start. If you develop breathing problems (rapid breathing for kids), pain in your chest, constant vomiting or a fever that keeps rising, go to an emergency room.

Here is the problem...70 million Americans have no prescription coverage at all. 1/6th of everyone in the U.S. right now, don’t even have a basic health insurance that covers doctor visits or lab work so they avoid going to the doctor all together.

They just try to stick it out. NOT GOOD ! ! !