More hospital stays, More flawed graphs

USA Today recently posted a snapshot of the number (in millions) of Americans being admitted to hospitals from 1997 to 2007. The snapshot explains that there was a 14% increase in admission to hospitals in those years. Although the graph is fairly easy to read and comprehend, I found when I really look at it, there are parts that just dont seem to fit.

The picture in this snapshot is of a man laying in a hospital bed, hooked up to a machine, with a nice big 'ole' smile on his face. He looks really peaceful laying there. with his his hands propped loosely on top of him, he just looks so relaxed. This does not resemble reality in the slightest bit when it comes to Americans actually being in the hospital. Usually people are nervous, in pain, sad, or even angry when they are hooked up to a machine in the hospital. I doubt they are actually happy to be there.

Another thing I noticed was the caption on the side that talked about how most hospitalizations involve depression or a mood disorder. This confuses me when put right next to the picture of the man hooked up to a machine in the hospital. People get hooked up to machines because they are depressed or have a mood disorder?? That's news to me! I don't think the 2 things rlate to eachother- the caption and the picture. That mixed with the unrealistic expression of the patient in the picture add up to this being a flawed graph.