A study published in PLoS One evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the access, use, and perceived quality of Diné traditional medicine (DTM) among members of the Navajo Nation. Conducted from May to October 2021, the survey included 153 Navajo participants who provided sociodemographic data and insights into how the pandemic affected their healthcare access, employment, and psychosocial wellbeing.

Findings revealed that 48.7% of participants reported using DTM during the pandemic. There were no significant differences in prior COVID-19 test results between DTM users and non-users. DTM users reported minimal barriers related to transportation, childcare, or appointment availability for receiving care. They also had higher COVID-19 Risk Factor Scores compared to non-users, indicating a greater perceived risk.

Overall, the study concluded that despite the challenges of the pandemic, Diné individuals maintained access to traditional healing practices, highlighting the importance of DTM for their health and wellbeing.