Martha Lillard, Last American Iron Lung User, Dies at 78

Martha Ann Lillard, believed to be the last American to use an iron lung after contracting polio as a child, has died at the age of 78. Her death marks the end of an era for polio survivors reliant on the life-sustaining device.

11 Jul, 20:55 — 12 Jul, 01:43

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Why this matters

Martha Lillard's death marks the end of an era, as she was the last known American to rely on an iron lung, a device emblematic of the pre-vaccine polio epidemic. Her life story highlights the devastating impact of polio and the medical advancements that eradicated the disease in much of the world.

Key entitiesMartha Lillard Polio Iron Lung

The Story

What 7 sources agree on, dispute, and miss

What sources agree on

Martha Lillard, 78, has died.
She was the last known American user of an iron lung.
Lillard contracted polio as a child, leading to her reliance on the iron lung for breathing.
She lived in the iron lung for nearly seven decades.

Key claims3 agreed · 1 unverified

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Martha Lillard was 78 years old at the time of her death.

agreed·Fox Newshindustan-timesdie-pressefazYahoo

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Martha Lillard contracted polio at age five.

agreed·Fox Newshindustan-times

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Martha Lillard's death marks the end of a special chapter in medical history.

agreed·faz

Martha Lillard's reliance on the iron lung increased to nearly 24 hours a day after contracting COVID-19.

unverified·Fox News

Coverage gaps

Martha Lillard's increased dependence on the iron lung due to COVID-19

ReportedFox News

Missinghindustan-timesdie-pressefaz+2

The year Martha Lillard contracted polio (1953)

Reporteddie-presse

MissingFox Newshindustan-timesfaz+2

The Story

Analyzing sources…

Source Diversity

Excellent (75/100)

7 sources33/33

Spectrum spread— 4/5 buckets covered25/33

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Right (4)

Times of Indiahindustan-timesdie-pressefaz

Far R1

Far Right (1)

Fox News

Geographic diversity— 4 regions17/34

India2US2Austria2Germany1

Political spectrum

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Outlet rating This story

SourceOutletiGeneral editorial lean of the outletStoryiHow they covered this specific storyToneFactuality

Yahoocentercenter-leftneutralMostly FactualFactual reporting, location detail

orfcentercenterneutralHighNeutral, concise factual reporting

hindustan-times

Coverage leans: balanced

The coverage is largely factual and commemorative, focusing on the human interest aspect of Martha Lillard's life and the historical significance of her passing, with no discernible political leanings.

Sources

Showing 3 of 7 sources

Fox NewsMixed19h ago

Last American to use an iron lung dies at 78 years old after childhood polio diagnosis

Martha Lillard contracted polio at age five and relied on an iron lung to breathe, but COVID-19 left her dependent on the machine nearly 24 hours a day.

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Times of IndiaMostly Factual18h ago