Ancient Flu Study Highlights Health Disparities During Pandemic

A recent study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, sheds new light on the impact of the 1918 flu pandemic, often referred to as the Spanish flu, one of the deadliest pandemics in history, claiming an estimated 50 million lives. Contrary to previous assumptions that this influenza primarily affected young and healthy individuals, the research suggests that frail or unhealthy people were more vulnerable. 

The study, conducted by researchers from McMaster University in Canada and the University of Colorado Boulder, analyzed skeletal remains of 369 individuals who died either shortly before or during the 1918 pandemic. These remains were housed at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and the researchers categorized the sample into two groups: a control group composed of those who died before the pandemic, and a second group of individuals who succumbed during the pandemic.

Their examination focused on identifying bone lesions that indicated stress or inflammation, which could be attributed to physical trauma, infection, or malnutrition. Sharon DeWitte, a biological anthropologist at the University of Colorado Boulder and co-author of the study, explained the significance of their findings, stating, “By comparing who had lesions, and whether these lesions were active or healing at the time of death, we get a picture of what we call frailty, or who is more likely to die.” This novel approach provides insights into the health and resilience of the population during the 1918 flu pandemic. 

Amanda Wissler, the lead study author and an assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology at McMaster, highlighted the study’s broader implications. She noted that the likelihood of succumbing to a pandemic is influenced by cultural, social, and biological factors. Even in the face of a novel and highly contagious disease, specific individuals are at greater risk due to these factors. Wissler drew parallels to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, where reports emphasized how marginalized communities with limited access to social services faced higher rates of severe illness and mortality. 

Wissler mentioned that the study’s results were not surprising to the research team. She referred to the concept of “selective mortality,” which acknowledges that certain individuals are more vulnerable to death in various contexts, including pandemics and natural disasters. This finding is consistent with historical records, such as the Black Death. 

However, the study does have limitations. One key drawback, as Wissler pointed out, is that the researchers only had access to information about individuals who died from the 1918 flu but lacked data on those who were infected and survived. This gap in data makes it challenging to determine whether pre-existing health conditions made individuals more susceptible to the virus.

Additionally, the study focused on individuals from Cleveland, Ohio, and may not represent the experiences of people in other cities during the pandemic. It offers a snapshot of a specific time and place. Despite these limitations, the researchers stress the importance of studying past pandemics and epidemics.

Investigating historical outbreaks provides invaluable insights into how diseases affect human populations and how human factors, including social and cultural influences, interact with diseases. Understanding these complex dynamics can inform public health strategies and preparedness for future pandemics. In essence, this study underscores the enduring relevance of learning from the past to protect against future health crises. 

Reference  

Fox News, “Skeletons from 1918 flu pandemic reveal clues about those most likely to die, study finds” https://www.foxnews.com/health/skeletons-1918-flu-pandemic-reveal-clues-those-most-likely-die-study.