Native America Calling

Today, June 15– The Native COVID-19 toll is worse than you think

Native deaths from COVID-19 are already disproportionately higher than the rest of the population. But the numbers from official sources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are likely much higher than what is being reported. That’s the conclusion of a reporting project by a group of media organizations that make up the Indigenous Investigative Collective. The reporting finds barriers to compiling accurate information on Native Americans because of medical privacy laws and the patchwork of tribal, state and federal services Native patients rely on. We’ll discuss the project and learn how the lack of good information is hurting the response to the pandemic.

To join the discussion, call 1-800-996-2848