Editing Navajo Nation (section)

==Environmental and health concerns==
===Uranium mining===
{{see also|Uranium mining and the Navajo people}}

Extensive uranium mining took place in areas of the Navajo Nation from the 1940s, and stringent worker and environmental safety laws were not passed and enforced until the early 1960s.<ref name=Brugge2002>Brugge, Doug, and Rob Goble. "The history of uranium mining and the Navajo people." American journal of public health vol. 92,9 (2002): 1410–9. doi:10.2105/ajph.92.9.1410</ref>

Studies<ref name=Brugge2002/> have proven uranium mining created severe environmental consequences for miners and nearby residents. Several types of [[cancer]] occur at much higher rates than the national average in these locations.<ref>Raloff, 2004</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=For The Navajo Nation, Uranium Mining's Deadly Legacy Lingers |date=April 10, 2016 |work=Weekend Edition Sunday |first=Laurel |last=Morales |publisher=[[NPR]] |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/04/10/473547227/for-the-navajo-nation-uranium-minings-deadly-legacy-lingers |access-date=February 27, 2019 |archive-date=March 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307004845/https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/04/10/473547227/for-the-navajo-nation-uranium-minings-deadly-legacy-lingers |url-status=live }}</ref> Especially high are the rates of [[Sex organ|reproductive-organ]] cancers in teenage Navajo girls, averaging seventeen times higher than the average of girls in the United States.<ref>{{Cite book|title = In the Company of Others: Perspectives on Community, Family, and Culture|last = Snow|first = Nancy|publisher = Rowman & Littlefield|year = 1996|isbn = 978-0-8476-8145-7|location = Lanham, MD|page = 184}}</ref> In 1990, Congress passed the [[Radiation Exposure Compensation Act]].

Residents of the Red Water Pond Road area have requested relocation to a new, off-grid village to be located on Standing Black Tree Mesa. Cleanup is underway on the [[Church Rock uranium mill spill|Northeast Church Rock Mine Superfund site]]. They proposed this as an alternative to the EPA-proposed relocation of residents to [[Gallup, New Mexico|Gallup]].<ref>{{cite news|title=A radioactive legacy haunts this Navajo village, which fears a fractured future|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/a-radioactive-legacy-haunts-this-navajo-village-which-fears-a-fractured-future/2020/01/18/84c6066e-37e0-11ea-9541-9107303481a4_story.html|last=Ford|first=Will|date=January 18, 2020|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|language=en|access-date=2020-01-18|archive-date=January 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200119002505/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/a-radioactive-legacy-haunts-this-navajo-village-which-fears-a-fractured-future/2020/01/18/84c6066e-37e0-11ea-9541-9107303481a4_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Navajo neurohepatopathology ====
The Navajo are uniquely affected by a rare and life-threatening [[Autosomal-recessive disease|autosomal recessive]] multi-system disorder called Navajo Neurohepatopathology (NNH). This genetic condition is estimated to occur in one of every 1,600 live births.<ref name="Karadimas-2009">{{Cite journal|last1=Karadimas|first1=Charalampos L.|last2=Vu|first2=Tuan H.|last3=Holve|first3=Stephen A.|last4=Chronopoulou|first4=Penelope|last5=Quinzii|first5=Catarina|last6=Johnsen|first6=Stanley D.|last7=Kurth|first7=Janice|last8=Eggers|first8=Elizabeth|last9=Palenzuela|first9=Lluis|last10=Tanji|first10=Kurenai|last11=Bonilla|first11=Eduardo|date=28 June 2009|title=Navajo Neurohepatopathy Is Caused by a Mutation in the MPV17 Gene|journal=The American Journal of Human Genetics|language=en|volume=79|issue=3|pages=544–548|doi=10.1086/506913|pmc=1559552|pmid=16909392}}</ref> The most severe symptoms include [[neuropathy]] and [[liver dysfunction]] (hepatopathy), both of which may be moderate and progressive or severe and fatal, as it often is in cases that develop in infants (before six months of age) or children (1–5 years). Other symptoms include corneal anesthesia and [[Corneal abrasion|scarring]], injuries due to lack of sensation, [[Leukoencephalopathy|cerebral leukoencephalopathy]], [[failure to thrive]], and recurrent [[metabolic acidosis]], with intercurrent infections.<ref name="Karadimas-2009"/>

===Diabetes===
[[Diabetes mellitus]] is a major health problem among the Navajo, [[Hopi]] and [[Pima people|Pima]] tribes, whose members are diagnosed at a rate about four times higher than the age-standardized U.S. estimate. Medical researchers believe increased consumption of carbohydrates, coupled with genetic factors, play significant roles in the emergence of this chronic disease among Native Americans.<ref>[http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/americanindian/index.htm American Indians and Alaska Natives and Diabetes.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051028235409/http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/americanindian/index.htm |date=October 28, 2005 }} ''National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse.''</ref>

===Severe combined immunodeficiency===
One in every 2,500 children in the Navajo population inherits [[severe combined immunodeficiency]] (SCID). This [[genetic disorder]] results in births of children with virtually no [[immune system]]. In the general population, the genetic disorder is much rarer, affecting one in 100,000 children. The disorder is sometimes known as "bubble boy disease". This condition is a significant cause of illness and death among Navajo children. Research reveals a similar genetic pattern among the related [[Apache]].

In a December 2007 [[Associated Press]] article, Mortan Cowan, director of the Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Program at the [[University of California, San Francisco]], noted that, although researchers have identified about a dozen genes that cause SCID, the Navajo/Apache population has the most severe form of the disorder. This is due to the mutations in the [[gene]] ''DCLRE1C'', which leads to a defective copy of the protein [[Artemis (protein)|Artemis]]. Without the gene, children's bodies are unable to [[DNA repair|repair DNA]] or develop disease-fighting cells.<ref>Fonseca, ''Salt Lake Tribune,'' B10</ref>

=== COVID-19 pandemic ===
{{main| COVID-19 pandemic in the Navajo Nation}}

The [[COVID-19 pandemic]] was first documented in the Navajo Nation on March 17, 2020.<ref name=nbc1>{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/coronavirus-batters-navajo-nation-it-s-about-get-worse-n1187501 |title=Coronavirus batters the Navajo Nation, and it's about to get worse |first1=Kenzi|last1=Abou-Sabe|first2=Cynthia|last2=McFadden|first3=Christine|last3=Romo|first4=Jaime|last4=Longoria|date=April 20, 2020 |publisher=NBC News|access-date=2020-04-23 |archive-date=April 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424021934/https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/coronavirus-batters-navajo-nation-it-s-about-get-worse-n1187501 |url-status=live }}</ref> On March 20, a [[stay-at-home order]] was issued after 14 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed, with an 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew enforced.<ref>{{cite news |first=Sunnie R. |last=Clahchischiligi |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/20/opinion/coronavirus-navajo-nation.html |title=Opinion &#124; The Navajo Nation Is Facing the Coronavirus, Too – The New York Times |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=2019-01-31 |access-date=2020-04-23 |archive-date=April 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423143054/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/20/opinion/coronavirus-navajo-nation.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Beginning April 12, a 57-hour weekend curfew was declared.<ref name=cnn1>{{cite web |last=Silverman |first=Hollie |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/12/us/navajo-nation-coronavirus/index.html |title=The Navajo Nation is under a weekend curfew to help combat the spread of coronavirus |work=[[CNN]] |date=2020-04-12 |access-date=2020-04-23 |archive-date=April 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424132922/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/12/us/navajo-nation-coronavirus/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.navajo-nsn.gov/News%20Releases/NNDOH/2020/Apr/NDOH%20Public%20Health%20Emergency%20Order%202020-005%20Dikos%20Ntsaaigii-19.pdf |title=Public Health Emergency Order No. 2020-005 |website=navajo-nsn.gov |date=April 5, 2020 |access-date=April 23, 2020 |archive-date=April 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424160455/https://www.navajo-nsn.gov/News%20Releases/NNDOH/2020/Apr/NDOH%20Public%20Health%20Emergency%20Order%202020-005%20Dikos%20Ntsaaigii-19.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> At that point, there were 698 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 24 deaths, among members of the Navajo Nation living in New Mexico, Arizona and Utah.<ref name=cnn1/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.navajo-nsn.gov/News%20Releases/OPVP/2020/Apr/FOR%20IMMEDIATE%20RELEASE%20-%20101%20new%20positive%20cases%20of%20COVID-19%20and%20two%20more%20deaths%20reported_rapid%20testing%20to%20soon%20become%20available.pdf |title=101 new positive cases of COVID-19 and two more deaths reported, rapid testing to soon become available |website=navajo-nsn.gov |date=April 11, 2020 |access-date=April 23, 2020 |archive-date=April 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418230529/http://www.navajo-nsn.gov/News%20Releases/OPVP/2020/Apr/FOR%20IMMEDIATE%20RELEASE%20-%20101%20new%20positive%20cases%20of%20COVID-19%20and%20two%20more%20deaths%20reported_rapid%20testing%20to%20soon%20become%20available.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> On April 19, the Navajo Department of Health issued an emergency public health order mandating the use of masks outside the home, in addition to existing orders for sheltering in place and for nightly and weekend curfews.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vox.com/2020/4/19/21227101/navajo-nation-coronavirus-masks-minorities |title=Navajo Nation orders mandatory coronavirus masks as minorities continue to be hardest hit |publisher=[[Vox (website)|Vox]] |date=2020-04-19 |access-date=2020-04-23 |archive-date=April 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423170450/https://www.vox.com/2020/4/19/21227101/navajo-nation-coronavirus-masks-minorities |url-status=live }}</ref>

By April 20, the Navajo Nation had the third-highest infection rate in the United States, after those of [[COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state)|New York]] and [[COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey|New Jersey]].<ref name="nbc1" />
On May 18, it surpassed New York as most affected U.S. region [[per capita]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Navajo Nation surpasses New York state for the highest Covid-19 infection rate in the US |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/18/us/navajo-nation-infection-rate-trnd/index.html |first1=Hollie |last1=Silverman |first2=Konstantin |last2=Toropin |first3=Sara |last3=Sidner |first4=Leslie |last4=Perrot |website=CNN |date=18 May 2020 |access-date=19 May 2020 |archive-date=September 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930182338/https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/18/us/navajo-nation-infection-rate-trnd/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> with 4,071 positive [[Coronavirus disease 2019|COVID-19]] tests and 142 fatalities recorded.<ref>{{Cite web|title=COVID-19 Across the Navajo Nation|url=https://navajotimes.com/coronavirus-updates/covid-19-across-the-navajo-nation/|date=2020-04-06|website=Navajo Times|language=en-US|access-date=19 May 2020|archive-date=May 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521073427/https://navajotimes.com/coronavirus-updates/covid-19-across-the-navajo-nation/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On April 25, the Nation announced that it was joining ten other tribes in a lawsuit against the [[U.S. Secretary of the Treasury]], over what the plaintiffs said was an unfair allocation of money under the [[Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act]] (CARES Act).<ref>{{cite news |last=Guzman |first=Joseph |url=https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/accessibility/494302-navajo-nation-sues-us-for-fair-share-of-coronavirus |title=Navajo Nation joins lawsuit against US for 'fair share' of coronavirus funding |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |date=2020-04-23 |access-date=2020-04-30 |archive-date=April 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430053015/https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/accessibility/494302-navajo-nation-sues-us-for-fair-share-of-coronavirus |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.channel4.com/news/navajo-nation-to-sue-us-government-over-lack-of-coronavirus-funding |title=Navajo Nation to sue US government over lack of coronavirus funding |publisher=Channel4.com |date=2020-04-25 |access-date=2020-04-30 |archive-date=April 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430041235/https://www.channel4.com/news/navajo-nation-to-sue-us-government-over-lack-of-coronavirus-funding |url-status=live }}</ref> On May 5, $600&nbsp;million of aid money was delivered to the Navajo Nation, a month after the legislation was signed into law.<ref>{{cite news |last=Klemko |first=Robert |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/coronavirus-navajo-nation-crisis/2020/05/11/b2a35c4e-91fe-11ea-a0bc-4e9ad4866d21_story.html |title=Coronavirus has been devastating to the Navajo Nation, and help for complex fight has been slow |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=2020-05-11 |access-date=2020-05-12 |archive-date=May 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512142146/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/coronavirus-navajo-nation-crisis/2020/05/11/b2a35c4e-91fe-11ea-a0bc-4e9ad4866d21_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

As of February 2022, there had been 50,428 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Navajo Nation, and 1,619 deaths associated with the virus.<ref name=ndoh>{{cite web|title=Dikos Ntsaaígíí-19 (COVID-19)|url=https://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19|publisher=ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov|access-date=2021-10-26|archive-date=June 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619193817/https://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Water rights and protection ===
{{Excerpt|Navajo water rights}}