Editing 1918 Influenza Epidemic (section)

== Legacy ==

The 1918 epidemic revealed the inadequacy of Philadelphia's public health infrastructure and the dangers of prioritizing political concerns over medical advice. Dr. Krusen's decision to allow the Liberty Loan parade became a cautionary tale studied in public health courses for generations afterward. The epidemic contributed to reforms in public health administration and disease surveillance, though progress was gradual. Philadelphia's experience demonstrated that modern cities remained vulnerable to infectious disease and that preparation and early action were essential to limiting mortality.<ref name="barry"/>

Memory of the epidemic faded for decades but has been revived by subsequent health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. Historians and public health officials have studied Philadelphia's 1918 experience as both warning and lesson. The city that made disastrous choices in 1918 can serve as an example of what not to do when facing an epidemic—and as evidence that the consequences of such choices can be measured in thousands of lives. The 1918 influenza epidemic remains the deadliest public health disaster in Philadelphia's history, a tragedy made worse by decisions that could have been made differently.<ref name="kolata"/>