Contextualizing the Global Burden of COVID‐19 Pandemic: A Historical and Geographical Exploration of Excess Mortality in France, 1901–2021

• DOI: 10.1111/padr.70007
• Publication Date: 2025-04-08T03:30:40Z
• Authors: Florian Bonnet; Carlo‐Giovanni Ca...
• Keywords: Pandemic; Excess mortality; 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak

Abstract In light of the unprecedented global impact COVID‐19, comparing its demographic and spatial dimensions with past longevity crises is crucial for identifying core drivers providing guidance tailored health policies. This study offers first analysis this type, placing recent pandemic in a historical geographical context spanning 120 years 90 French regions that 1911 2003 heatwaves Spanish Hong Kong flu. Using robust statistical model, we computed standard excess mortality measure enabling comparison across both space time estimated effects COVID‐19 European regions. Our results reveal burden was, on average, percent lower than Flu 75 heatwave, but four times higher heatwave. We also heterogeneity high compared to flu line COVID‐19's substantial clear clusters could be result stringent containment measures prevented from spreading territory, contrary pandemics.