Tag: Modern diseases

According to a 2024 review of pediatric patients, the incidence of scurvy in U.S. children more than tripled between 2016 and 2020, proving that despite advances in nutrition, modern people can still get scurvy. This startling statistic highlights that this historical illness is far from obsolete.

While once a notorious killer among ancient sailors, severe vitamin C deficiency, or scurvy, is rare in developed countries, but it is not extinct. A 2024 review found the incidence of pediatric scurvy in U.S. inpatient settings more than tripled between 2016 and 2020, highlighting that certain vulnerable populations remain at risk.

While most associate scurvy with ancient sailors, recent studies show it is not extinct; an estimated 7.1% of the U.S. population showed signs of vitamin C deficiency in 2003-2004, with severe cases of scurvy still emerging. The disease persists today, particularly among specific at-risk populations with inadequate diets.

Did you know that scurvy killed more than 2 million sailors between the 16th and 18th centuries alone? From historical epidemics at sea to modern diagnoses, the question of **who got scurvy the most?** has a complex answer that reveals much about human nutrition and social vulnerabilities.

According to a 2024 review of pediatric hospital data in the US, the incidence of scurvy in children more than tripled between 2016 and 2020, revealing that the answer to 'Does anyone get scurvy anymore?' is a surprising 'yes'. Once thought to be a relic of a bygone era, this vitamin C deficiency persists today, affecting vulnerable individuals who do not have adequate nutritional intake.

While famously associated with sailors in the Age of Sail, scurvy is still a concern today, affecting an estimated 7.1% of the U.S. population with some level of vitamin C deficiency. So, what is scurvy called today? The answer is both simple and complex, as the traditional name remains, but more precise medical terminology is often used.