The Disproportionate Burden: Health and Economic Outcomes of COVID-19 for Native American Communities

American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) populations experienced disproportionate health and economic impacts during the COVID-19 pandemic. While prior research has documented elevated infection and mortality rates among Indigenous communities, less is known about the persistence of COVID-19 symptoms and their potential economic consequences. This study examines differences in COVID-19 infection, long-COVID symptoms, and pandemic-related economic hardship among AIAN populations in California. Persistent COVID-19 symptoms may contribute to ongoing economic vulnerability in AIAN communities. Structural factors including poverty, chronic health conditions, and limited access to healthcare amplify the long-term health and economic consequences of the pandemic.