Understanding how COVID-19 prevention efforts affected American Indian communities

The Impacts of Mitigation Strategies to Prevent COVID-19 Transmission in American Indian Communities

NIH-funded research National Bureau of Economic Research · NIH-11159444

This research looks at how different ways to prevent COVID-19 spread helped or changed life for American Indian communities.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNational Bureau of Economic Research NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Cambridge, United States)
Project IDNIH-11159444 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

We want to learn more about how local policies, like closing reservations or casinos, affected the health and daily lives of American Indian people during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes looking at how these measures influenced the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths, as well as how people's travel and movement patterns changed. We are also interested in any effects these policies had on nearby non-Native communities. By understanding these impacts, we hope to find better ways to protect vulnerable populations during future health crises.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This research focuses on data from American Indian communities and adjacent non-Native populations who experienced COVID-19 mitigation policies.

Not a fit: Patients not part of American Indian communities or those not affected by specific COVID-19 mitigation policies in these areas may not directly benefit from this particular research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help public health officials and tribal leaders create more effective and supportive policies for American Indian communities during future pandemics.

How similar studies have performed: While specific studies on the staggered implementation of NPIs in tribal lands are unique, broader research has shown varying success of mitigation strategies in different populations.

Where this research is happening

Cambridge, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.