Short Wave The CDC Doesn't Know Enough About Coronavirus In Tribal Nations
Sep 28, 2020
Jourdan Bennett-Begaye, a reporter and deputy managing editor of Indian Country Today, sheds light on the critical health disparities faced by Native American and Alaskan Native communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. She discusses the CDC's recently released, but limited, data which reveals that these groups are significantly more affected than their white counterparts. Jourdan emphasizes the urgent need for more accurate data collection and transparency, highlighting the historical challenges and proactive measures tribal nations are taking to address these health inequities.
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Data Gaps in CDC Report
- The CDC report omitted data from key states with substantial Native American populations, like Arizona.
- This omission, due to incomplete race and ethnicity data, hinders a comprehensive understanding of COVID-19's impact.
Underfunding of IHS
- The Indian Health Service (IHS), responsible for tribal healthcare, is chronically underfunded.
- This underfunding contributes to healthcare disparities highlighted by the pandemic.
Data Sharing Challenges
- Tribally-run health clinics, which comprise 80% of facilities, are not required to share COVID-19 data.
- This reluctance, stemming from historical mistrust and research exploitation, further obscures the true impact on Native communities.