An early release of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) examines COVID-19 among American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs). The MMWR indicates that AI/ANs appear to be disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic; however, limited data are available to quantify the disparity in COVID-19 incidence, severity, and outcomes among AI/AN persons compared with those among other racial/ethnic groups. In 23 states with adequate race/ethnicity data, the cumulative incidence of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 among AI/ANs was 3.5 times that among non-Hispanic white persons. This report has public health implications for AI/AN communities and demonstrates adequate health care and public health infrastructure resources are needed to support a culturally responsive public health effort. Read more.
CDC Releases Study Showing American Indians and Alaska Natives are Disproportionately Affected by COVID-19
- August 20, 2020