COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations, and Deaths Among American Indian or Alaska Native Persons — Alaska, 2020–2021 | MMWR - ISS-G20 Laboratorium Repository

What is already known about this topic?

American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN) persons across the United States face substantial health disparities, including a disproportionate incidence of COVID-19 illness.

What is added by this report?

AI/AN persons living in Alaska are at increased risk for COVID-19 illness, COVID-19–associated hospitalization, and COVID-19–related death compared with White persons living in Alaska. Rate ratios for age-adjusted case, hospitalization, and mortality rates for AI/AN persons compared with White persons in 2020 and 2021 were 2.2, 2.7, and 2.9, respectively.

What are the implications for public health practice?

Culturally competent public health efforts designed in collaboration with AI/AN persons and communities, including support for vaccination and other proven COVID-19 prevention strategies, are critical to reducing COVID-19–associated disparities among AI/AN persons in Alaska.

Entire content available on: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7122a2.htm