The Navajo Nation Healthy Diné Nation Act: Community Support of a 2% Tax on Unhealthy Foods

Caleigh Curley, Regina Eddie, Kristen Tallis, Taylor S. Lane, Del Yazzie, Priscilla R. Sanderson, Cori Lorts, Sonya Shin, Timothy K. Behrens, Carmen George, Ramona Antone-Nez, Christine Ashley, Hendrik D. De Heer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Context: The Healthy Diné Nation Act (HDNA) of 2014 included a 2% tax on foods of little-to-no-nutritious value ("junk foods") on the Navajo Nation. The law was the first ever in the United States and any Indigenous nation worldwide with a population at a high risk for common nutrition-related conditions. To date, research on community support for food tax legislation among Indigenous nations is entirely lacking. Objective: To assess the extent of support for the HDNA and factors associated with support including sociodemographic variables, knowledge of the HDNA, nutrition intake, and pricing preferences. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: The Navajo Nation. Participants: A total of 234 Navajo Nation community members across 21 communities. Outcome Measures: The percentage of participants who were supportive of the HDNA. Results: Participants were 97% Navajo, on average middle-aged, 67% reported an income below $25 000 annually, and 69.7% were female. Half of the respondents said they "support" (37.4%) or "strongly support" (13.0%) the tax, while another 35% of people said they were neutral or somewhat supportive; 15% did not support the tax. Participants with higher income (P =.025) and education (P =.026) and understanding of the legislation (P <.001 for "very well" vs "not at all") had increased odds of greater support, as did people who believed that the HDNA would make Navajo people healthier (vs not, P <.001). Age, gender, language, and reported nutrition intake (healthy or unhealthy) were not associated with HDNA support, but participants willing to pay 5% or 12%-15% higher prices for fast food and soda had increased odds of greater support (P values range from.023 to <.001). Conclusions: The majority of Navajo community members surveyed were moderately supportive of the Navajo Nation tax on unhealthy foods. Higher income and education and understanding of the law were associated with greater support, but nutrition intake was not.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)622-632
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Public Health Management and Practice
Volume29
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2023

Keywords

  • Chapter
  • HDNA
  • Navajo Nation
  • junk food
  • tax

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Health Policy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The Navajo Nation Healthy Diné Nation Act: Community Support of a 2% Tax on Unhealthy Foods'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this