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History Says the 1918 Flu Killed the Young and Healthy. These Bones Say Otherwise
Oct 24, 2023
A study of bones reveals new insights into the impact of the 1918 flu pandemic, challenging the belief that it primarily affected the young and healthy. The analysis of skeletons reveals that the flu was more lethal for those who were already worse off. The flu killed people from all classes, including seemingly healthy individuals, emphasizing the importance of addressing social determinants of health during epidemics.
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Quick takeaways
- Frail individuals, such as those with underlying diseases or malnutrition, were 2.7 times more likely to die during the 1918 flu pandemic, challenging the narrative that the disease killed indiscriminately.
- Epidemics do not strike neutrally, with marginalized and less affluent individuals consistently suffering the most, emphasizing the need to address social determinants of health to protect vulnerable populations during outbreaks.
Deep dives
Frailty and vulnerability determine mortality during epidemics
The analysis of skeletons from the 1918 flu pandemic challenges the narrative that the disease killed indiscriminately. Studying a collection of more than 3,000 skeletons, researchers found that people who exhibited signs of frailty, due to factors such as underlying diseases or malnutrition, were 2.7 times more likely to die during the pandemic. This suggests that epidemics do not strike neutrally and that individuals who are already in poorer health are at greater risk. It emphasizes the importance of addressing social determinants of health to protect vulnerable populations during future epidemics.
