Voluntary collective isolation as a best response to COVID-19 for indigenous populations? A case study and protocol from the Bolivian Amazon

Hillard Kaplan, Benjamin C. Trumble, Jonathan Stieglitz, Roberta Mendez Mamany, Maguin Gutierrez Cayuba, Leonardina Maito Moye, Sarah Alami, Thomas S. Kraft, Raul Quispe Gutierrez, Juan Copajira Adrian, Randall Thompson, Gregory Thomas, David Michalik, Daniel Eid Rodriguez and Michael Gurven
Additional contact information
Benjamin C. Trumble: ASU - Arizona State University [Tempe]
Jonathan Stieglitz: IAST - Institute for Advanced Study in Toulouse
Roberta Mendez Mamany: Chapman University
Sarah Alami: UC Santa Barbara - University of California [Santa Barbara] - UC - University of California
Thomas S. Kraft: IAST - Institute for Advanced Study in Toulouse
Randall Thompson: UMKC - University of Missouri [Kansas City] - University of Missouri System
Gregory Thomas: UC Irvine - University of California [Irvine] - UC - University of California
David Michalik: UC Irvine - University of California [Irvine] - UC - University of California
Michael Gurven: UC Santa Barbara - University of California [Santa Barbara] - UC - University of California

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Abstract: Indigenous communities worldwide share common features that make them especially vulnerable to the complications of and mortality from COVID-19. They also possess resilient attributes that can be leveraged to promote prevention efforts. How can indigenous communities best mitigate potential devastating effects of COVID-19? In Bolivia, where nearly half of all citizens claim indigenous origins, no specific guidelines have been outlined for indigenous communities inhabiting native communal territories. In this Public Health article, we describe collaborative efforts, as anthropologists, physicians, tribal leaders, and local officials, to develop and implement a multiphase COVID-19 prevention and containment plan focused on voluntary collective isolation and contact-tracing among Tsimane forager-horticulturalists in the Bolivian Amazon. Phase 1 involves education, outreach, and preparation, and phase 2 focuses on containment, patient management, and quarantine. Features of this plan might be exported and adapted to local circumstances elsewhere to prevent widespread mortality in indigenous communities.

Date: 2020-05-30
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

Published in The Lancet, 2020, 395 (10238)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-02924018

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