New Study Finds Age Was Not Only Factor in 1918 Flu Deaths
New research conducted by scientists from the University of Colorado Boulder has challenged the widely-held belief that the 1918 influenza pandemic affected people of all ages equally. The study, published in the scientific journal Science Advances, reveals that individuals with chronic illness, nutritional deficiencies, and other stressors were nearly three times more likely to die from the virus.
To reach their conclusions, the researchers examined the shinbones of 369 individuals who died before and during the pandemic. By assessing the frailty of the population based on bone lesions, the scientists found that the frailest individuals were 2.7 times more likely to have died during the 1918 flu outbreak.
This study contradicts the common notion that young and healthy individuals were disproportionately affected by the 1918 flu. The authors caution, however, that the sample size was limited to the Cleveland area, and therefore, the results may not reflect national realities.
Furthermore, the research team suspects that socioeconomic status, education, access to healthcare, and institutional racism may have played a significant role in determining outcomes following infection. These factors could have contributed to the higher mortality rates among individuals with chronic illnesses and other stressors.
The findings underscore the importance of understanding individual risk factors in future pandemics. Accordingly, researchers advocate for the allocation of resources that take into account the specific vulnerabilities and needs of different population groups. By doing so, it may be possible to mitigate the impact of pandemics and save lives.
While this study sheds valuable light on the 1918 flu pandemic, further research with larger and more diverse populations is necessary to fully understand the true extent of the disparities in mortality rates during this historical event. However, the findings provide important insights into how social factors can influence health outcomes during crises.
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