PITCH
Montana COVID-19 infections are disproportionately impacting the American Indian / Alaska Native (AIAN) population. The AIAN community makes up only 6% of the population, yet make up a much higher proportion of COVID cases and deaths, 19% and 38% respectively. The current surge in COVID cases is driven by Yellowstone County, leading the surge with 8.8K or 20% of cumulative confirmed cases in the state (11/14/20).
Although the AIAN community only makes up 4.8% of the population in Yellowstone county, the neighboring county, Big Horn County, is home to the most AIAN residents as 66% of the county’s population identifies as AIAN. Yellowstone county is located next to Big Horn county, which has the highest AIAN population in the state, more specifically home to the Crow Nation. I would like to pitch a story that investigates the surge in Yellowstone cases as they relate AIAN populations around the area, particularly in Big Horn and Glacier, and Rosebud counties which have some of the highest cases and highest AIAN population.
Potential sources:
Montana Gov Health Website
Montana State University Website
Crow Nation Website
Montana American Indian and Alaska Native Population Percentage by County
Census data – demographics, income, job title, status,
*Note: Montana reports race for only 53% of COVID cases, which is one of the lowest in the country.
*Note: Montana cases only include residents and not out-of-state residents who tested positive in Montana