By Diana Cournoyer, Executive Director, National Indian Education Association By the end of March 2020, the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) had closed classrooms in all schools funded by the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE). Approximately 48,000 students in K-12 schools either transitioned to a form of distance education or learned that they would not have access to education services for the remainder of the school year.

By Kristen Bitsuie, Tribal Health Care Outreach and Education Policy Coordinator, National Indian Health Board Understanding health insurance coverage can be complicated – especially during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Thankfully, every Indian Health Service (IHS) facility or Tribal health clinic  has a Patient Benefits Coordinator or Enrollment Assister to help American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) individuals and families explore their health coverage options,…

By Ed Fox, PhD, Director of Tribal Data Project, National Indian Health Board and Dominique Covelli, MPM, Program Analyst, National Indian Health Board It is evident that COVID-19 disease poses a greater threat to American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) for a myriad of health and socioeconomic factors, including poverty, housing, congregate living practices, and underlying chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes and…

By Dr. Allison Empey, General Pediatrician, Oregon Health & Science University Fortunately, children are less vulnerable than older adults to the physical effects of COVID-19; however, this does not mean that they are immune to all the effects of the virus. School, family structure, cultural practices have all been disrupted.

By Melvina McCabe, MD The Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a global pandemic, and some of our Native communities are already experiencing high rates of infection while many other Tribes are bracing for the impact of COVID 19. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), elders age 60 and older are at the highest risk for hospitalization and death when they are infected with COVID-19, particularly patients age 80 and older.

By Dr. Jason Deen Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a lung illness caused by a virus (a new-type of coronavirus) which has spread rapidly through most countries in the world. Currently, the United States has the most documented cases with much of those affected living in large cities. The virus itself is very easily passed between individuals and may cause severe illness or death in a significant portion of those with the infection.