New Research Challenges Belief that 1918 Flu Pandemic Targeted Healthy Adults
A new study published in the journal PNAS has questioned the long-held belief that the 1918 flu pandemic primarily affected healthy adults. The research, conducted by the University of Colorado Boulder and McMaster University, challenges the narrative that the virus disproportionately affected young and vibrant individuals.
By examining the skeletal remains of nearly 400 individuals, the researchers found that people exposed to environmental, social, or nutritional stressors prior to the emergence of the novel virus were more likely to succumb to it. This finding suggests that frail individuals were disproportionately affected, rather than healthy adults.
The study sheds light on how communities can better prepare for future pandemics and highlights potential limitations in relying solely on written texts to understand historical events. The researchers argue that historical documents often focus on the experiences of privileged individuals, neglecting the perspectives of women, children, and the disenfranchised. Therefore, skeletal remains provide a valuable window into the lives and experiences of a broader cross-section of society.
The flu pandemic of 1918 infected nearly one-third of the world’s population and claimed the lives of more than 25 million people in just two years. Numerous literary references have perpetuated the belief that the virus primarily affected healthy individuals. However, the study authors found no scientific data to support these claims, suggesting they may have originated as folk wisdom.
Sharon DeWitte, co-author of the study and a professor of anthropology at CU Boulder, emphasizes the significance of skeletal evidence in providing a more comprehensive understanding of historical events. She notes that bones reflect a lifetime of experiences, including trauma, disease, and nutritional deficits. By analyzing skeletal remains, researchers can gain insights into the lives of individuals who may not be represented in historical documents.
The researchers acknowledge the limitations of their study, including the small sample size and the fact that all the specimens were from the Cleveland area. They stress the need for further research to fully comprehend the underlying factors that contributed to the vulnerability of individuals during the 1918 flu pandemic.
The findings have important implications for future pandemics. The authors caution against public health messaging that suggests everyone is equally at risk. Instead, they argue that understanding the factors that elevate the risk of death can help allocate resources effectively and reduce the overall impact on the population.
In conclusion, this new research challenges the belief that the 1918 flu pandemic predominantly affected healthy adults. By examining skeletal remains, the study highlights the importance of considering a broader range of individuals’ experiences and vulnerabilities during pandemics.