Native Americans being left out of US coronavirus data and labeled as 'other'
In states that do categorize Native Americans in the demographic results, early data indicates dramatically disproportionate rates of infection and death. Last week, the Arizona department of health services reported that Native Americans make up 16% of the state’s Covid-19 related deaths, despite representing only 6% of the state’s population. In New Mexico, Native Americans make up less than 10% of the population but over one-third of coronavirus cases.
Communities of color are not more susceptible to coronavirus, but because of years of unequal access to healthcare, clean water, and nutritious food, they are at greater risk of developing complications. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Native Americans experience diabetes three times more than any other racial or ethnic group in the United States and have the highest rates of asthma. Before the pandemic, the federal health system serving Native Americans was already chronically underfunded
In states that do categorize Native Americans in the demographic results, early data indicates dramatically disproportionate rates of infection and death. Last week, the Arizona department of health services reported that Native Americans make up 16% of the state’s Covid-19 related deaths, despite representing only 6% of the state’s population. In New Mexico, Native Americans make up less than 10% of the population but over one-third of coronavirus cases.
Communities of color are not more susceptible to coronavirus, but because of years of unequal access to healthcare, clean water, and nutritious food, they are at greater risk of developing complications. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Native Americans experience diabetes three times more than any other racial or ethnic group in the United States and have the highest rates of asthma. Before the pandemic, the federal health system serving Native Americans was already chronically underfunded
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