Native Americans COVID-19

Native Americans Disproportionately Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic

According to the Navajo Nation Department of Health, the Navajo tribe, along with other American Indian and Alaska Native communities, have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many factors are contributing to these figures – “limited health services, broken infrastructure, and above-average rates of immunocompromising diseases all increase the vulnerability of AI/AN populations to the outbreak.” Moreover, the closing of casinos in March 2020 has financially impacted the economic conditions that have also deeply impacted these communities.

While Congress has authorized only $8 billion under the Cares Act for direct relief for tribunal economic stability, these funds have been stalled and only recently were released after numerous lawsuits and public pressure. Below are other resources and other information.

The Urban Indian Health Institute created numerous fact sheets regarding COVID-19 for tribes and urban Indian communities. These sources range from health care providers, best practices for American Indian and Alaska Native Data Collection, health issues, caring of rez dogs, fabric masks maintenance, and more.

The Native Americans Philanthropy Center has created a valuable search coronavirus resource center.

The National Indian Child Welfare Center has listed funding opportunities and further family resources.

In addition, the CDC has also provided a special link for COVID-19 Funding for Tribes