Influenza mortality in French regions after the Hong Kong flu pandemic

Florian Bonnet, Hippolyte d'Albis and Josselin Thuilliez
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Florian Bonnet: Institut National d'Études Démographiques (INED)

Demographic Research, 2022, vol. 47, issue 19, 545-576

Abstract: Background: Influenza mortality has dramatically decreased in France since the 1950s. Annual death rates peaked during two pandemics: the Asian flu (1956–1957) and the Hong Kong flu (1969–1970). Objective: This study’s objective is to evaluate whether the second pandemic created a structural change in the dynamics of influenza mortality in France. Methods: We employ a new database on influenza mortality since 1950 at the subnational level (90 geographic areas) to estimate statistical models to find out whether a structural change happened and to explain the differences in mortality rates across geographic areas. Influenza mortality increased between 1950 and 1969 and decreased from 1970 onward. Conclusions: The Hong Kong flu is identified as the event of a structural break. After the break, geographical differences are less explained by regional characteristics such as income, density, or aging ratio. The Hong Kong flu was found to be associated with a major change in influenza mortality in France. Change in health practices and policies induced a decline in mortality that started in 1970, just after the pandemic. The health benefits are notably important for senior citizens and for the poorest regions. Contribution: We employ a new database on influenza mortality since 1950 at the subnational level (90 geographic areas). Change in health practices and policies induced a decline in mortality that started in 1970, just after the pandemics. The health benefits are notably important for senior citizens and for the poorest regions.

Keywords: pandemic; French departments; vaccinations (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J1 Z0 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Related works:
Working Paper: Influenza Mortality in French Regions after the Hong Kong Flu Pandemic (2022)
Working Paper: Influenza Mortality in French Regions after the Hong Kong Flu Pandemic (2022)
Working Paper: Influenza Mortality in French Regions after the Hong Kong Flu Pandemic (2022)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:dem:demres:v:47:y:2022:i:19

DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2022.47.19

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