Work

Scarring and Selection in the Great Irish Famine

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: How do famines shape the health of survivors? We examine the long‐term impact of the Great Irish Famine (1845–52) on human stature, distinguishing between adverse scarring effects and the apparent resilience of survivors due to selection. Using anthropometric data from more than 14500 individuals born before, during, and after this famine, we find that selection effects were most pronounced in areas with the highest mortality rates. Individuals born in severely affected regions exhibited no evidence of stunted growth, indicating that the Famine disproportionately eliminated the most vulnerable. In contrast, stunting is observed only in areas with lower excess mortality, where selective pressures were weaker. These findings contribute to debates on the biological consequences of extreme catastrophic risks, demonstrating how selection effects can obscure long‐term health deterioration. More broadly, our study provides a methodological framework for assessing selection in historical anthropometric research.

Source: The Economic History Review

DOI: 10.1111/ehr.70013

Authors: Matthias Blum, Christopher L. Colvin, Eoin McLaughlin

Institutions: German Medical Association, Queen's University Belfast, Heriot-Watt University

Language: English

Topic: Historical Economic and Social Studies

Subfield: Economics and Econometrics

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,900