The Influenza Epidemic of 1918-1920 among the Navajos.

INFLUENZA pandemic, 1918-1919; NATIVE Americans -- Diseases; DISEASE risk factors; NAVAJO (North American people); TWENTIETH century; HEALTH; NATIVE American history; MORTALITY

The article examines the history of the 1918-1920 influenza pandemic as experienced by the Navajo people. Details on risk factors for the pandemic among the Navajo and other indigenous peoples and on influenza-related mortality on the Navajo reservation are presented. According to the author, the Navajo experienced unusually high mortality due to low socioeconomic and health status and limited community infrastructure. It is suggested that U.S. federal government neglect contributed heavily to these losses.