Impacts of COVID on Navajo Nation
COVID-19 on the Rural Reservation
The Navajo Nation is arguably one of the most well preserved Native American tribes in North America. The Navajo Nation’s reservation spans just over 27,000 square miles and connects three states: Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. The Navajo have a population of approximately 173,000 people who live on the reservation and 298,000 total enrolled. Many tribe members live in rural areas on the reservation and not all have access to technology or running water. Both of these have been instrumental in preventing the spread of COVID-19 throughout the world. During the pandemic, the Navajo have experienced devastating impacts, like many other indigenous peoples across the world. It is estimated that in August of 2020, only 1 in 3 Navajo Nation households had running water. Even more concerning is that the Environmental Protection Agency reported that…
“The Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency (NNEPA) policy prohibits the use of unregulated water sources for human consumption because these sources are not routinely tested and regulated in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. These unregulated water sources are susceptible to bacterial contamination, including fecal coliforms. Some of these unregulated water sources also exceed drinking water standards for uranium and other chemicals, including naturally-occurring chemicals. Nevertheless, human consumption of unregulated water is reportedly widespread due to a lack of regulated water systems in the more remote and sparsely populated regions of the Navajo Nation.”
Furthermore, Indian Health Services has estimated that it would take approximately $700 million to provide safe drinking water and “basic sanitation” to all Navajo Nation homes. Despite this knowledge, the government has not really intervened besides the CARES act which provided relief funding to Native American tribes across the U.S. Clean drinking water and basic sanitation can only be compounded with the additional underlying health conditions and barriers to receiving health services the Navajo peoples face.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic: communication, information and educational resources have been widely available to the general public through the use of internet and technology. Technology plays an important role in “epidemic monitoring, detection, early warning, prevention and control…”. Technology also allows a medium of communication where people can continue to social distance, which is crucial in preventing the spread of COVID-19. While the majority of Americans have access to high-speed internet and technology, there is a digital divide for many Native Americans in the United States. When looking into the dissemination of health information it is important to note that “an estimated 72% of US adult internet users searched online for health information”. Additionally, “81% of all adults living with one or more chronic conditions got information, care, or support from a doctor or other health care professional”. This is compared to 62% of adults with no chronic conditions.
Since the pandemic hit the U.S. in early 2020, telehealth and telemedicine delivery has played a vital role in stopping the spread as well as keeping health professionals and patients safe. In fact, researchers have found that “the key trend in the use of telemedicine services is for educational and support services”. Although Indian Health Services (IHS) had begun to use these platforms to deliver healthcare several years before the pandemic, many Native Americans are still unable to receive services and information. This is partially due to the lack of access especially amongst rural tribes, like the Navajo Nation. It is estimated “just over half of Native Americans living on American Indian reservations or other tribal lands with a computer have access to high-speed Internet service”. This is compared to a little over 80% for the rest of the United States. In essence, the problem for tribal lands is the inability to establish a reliable infrastructure to relay health information to Native American people.
Recently, the Federal Communication Commission created a program called the 2.5 GHz Rural Tribal Priority Window, which seeks to “help address their connectivity needs and close the digital divide in Indian country”. This program stands to help many tribes, however, this is contingent on whether or not tribes can raise the funds to cover the costs of installation. A project like this could cost the Navajo Nation several million dollars. COVID-19 has claimed the life of 1 in every 465 Native Americans. The Navajo Nation has experienced great loss- and through their loss come cries of mass inequity and great disparities.
The Navajo, on several occasions, have provided support to the U.S. Federal Government, including during World War II when the Navajo created a secret code based on their native language. These men where referred to as the Navajo Code Talkers and were instrumental in the allies’ success in the War. So where is the much needed aid, during the pandemic?
While the Navajo Nation and other Native American Reservations/Tribes will be made a priority to receive the vaccine, the questions are raised: what can be done to prevent health crises- like COVID-19- from being so devastating in the future? And how can we address disparities now to encourage good health and longevity of the Navajo Nation?
Note from the author:
There are many issues and disparities that have presented themselves throughout the pandemic in many of the tribes and reservations in North America and worldwide. While it is crucial we advocate for the long-term health of all BIPOC people, the Navajo Nation face unique challenges that are often overlooked and disregarded. It is crucial we call attention to these issues to ensure that all people are able to live equitably and in good health.
References
https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1471.pdf
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