Date of Award:

8-2026

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Sociology and Anthropology

Committee Chair(s)

Eric Reither

Committee

Eric Reither

Committee

Hyojun Park

Committee

Anwesha Pan

Abstract

Previous research has shown that Native Americans within the Four Corners States of the United States experience poor health outcomes and premature mortality. The Four Corners States include Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah. Research examining COVID-19 pandemic outcomes has also suggested that Native peoples within the Four Corners States have been especially hard hit with high rates of infection and mortality. Our research seeks to (1) understand how life expectancy trends and differences changed among non-Hispanic Native Americans and Whites in the Four Corners States during the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) examine how much of these trends and differences have been caused by COVID-19 in comparison to other causes of death. Our results show a decline in estimated life expectancy at birth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among Native Americans, male life expectancy decreased by 7.33 years and female life expectancy decreased by 6.76 years; Among Whites, male life expectancy declined by 2.11 years and female life expectancy declined by 1.72 years. There was an increase of over five years in the life expectancy gaps between Native Americans and Whites of both sexes. Before the pandemic, life expectancy at birth was already 10.24 years lower for Native American males and 5.20 years lower for Native American females. COVID-19 had the largest impact on changes and gaps in life expectancy; however, causes of death related to alcohol and drugs also had a sizable impact among Native people. This research will help to inform public health interventions and bring attention to the lives lost to premature deaths. These findings suggest a need for interventions focused on preventable causes of death, including infectious diseases such as COVID-19, as well as mental health conditions such as substance use disorder. The premature deaths observed in our study were experienced by people who were important to their communities and families. These tragic losses also deprive employers of years of healthy productivity, which is important to the workforce and the well-being of the economy in the Four Corners States.

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