Native American communities lashed by COVID-19, worsening chronic inequities: The Guardian

People walk through the Times Square in New York, the United States, Dec. 14, 2021. (Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua)

Challenges affecting indigenous groups ranged from health inequities to inadequate infrastructure. And nearly all of these problems were worsened by the pandemic, Josh Arce, president of the Partnership With Native Americans (PWNA), told The Guardian.

LONDON, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- The COVID-19 pandemic has deepened disparities in infrastructure, education and health care in the United States, The Guardian has reported.

Challenges affecting indigenous groups ranged from health inequities to inadequate infrastructure. And nearly all of these problems were worsened by the pandemic, Josh Arce, president of the Partnership With Native Americans (PWNA), told the British daily in a recent interview.

Native Americans were disproportionately affected by COVID-19, dying from the virus at twice the rate of white Americans, said the chief of one of the largest Native American-run non-profits.

A person is tested for COVID-19 on the Times Square in New York, the United States, Dec. 14, 2021.(Photo by Michael Nagle/Xinhua)

He said the health infrastructure in Native American communities, provided through the Indian Health Service, is often substandard, with hospitals and other medical centers generally under-resourced and understaffed.

Meanwhile, Native Americans are more likely to be uninsured, adding another barrier to tackling complicated health challenges.

With "sky high" rates of suicide among Native American teenagers, the president also worried the poor mental health condition and limited resources to address such issues were deteriorating amid the pandemic.

Economic challenges such as poverty, affecting one out of three Native Americans, and high unemployment rates are also chronic concerns in Native American communities, Arce added.