Date of Award

Summer 8-31-2025

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

History

First Advisor

Roberta Wollons

Second Advisor

Nicholas Juravich

Third Advisor

Vincent Cannato

Abstract

Pittsburgh experienced the highest death rate of all major U.S. cities during the 1918 H1N1 influenza pandemic. This record mortality was not due to inadequate, absent, or ignored nonpharmaceutical interventions and mandates. Instead, for decades prior, city officials prioritized industry at the expense of the collective health of the laboring class. They were especially egregious in permitting industrial smoke pollution and overcrowded housing to persist in immigrant-heavy working-class wards, leaving residents susceptible to respiratory disease incidence and mortality. As a result, Pittsburgh’s annual influenza and pneumonia death rates were drastically the worst in the nation to such an extent that nonpharmaceutical interventions during the 1918 outbreak would not have significantly abated the death rate. An analysis of over 3,300 influenza/pneumonia deaths in Pittsburgh between October 1 and November 5, 1918, reveals the virus most viciously attacked polluted, overcrowded working-class wards (Strip District and South Side) and ethnic enclaves (Chinatown and Polish Hill). Male foreign-born unskilled and skilled laborers were especially victimized by the pathogen.

Pandemic preparedness officials should utilize this research to understand how historical roots of collective health can leave marginalized sectors of the population more susceptible to disease incidence and mortality in future pandemics.

Comments

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