Discussion Paper

Digital Access Deficiencies in Rural Health Care Deserts: Identifying a Role for Telehealth


Abstract: Telehealth, defined as digital access to health care services, has become increasingly used by American patients since the COVID-19 pandemic. Given that many rural communities in the United States face lower access to health care relative to urban communities, telehealth offers a potential opportunity to support health care access in these underserved areas. In particular, telehealth can partly help offset fewer hospitals and health care professionals per capita in rural areas compared to their metropolitan counterparts. However, the digital divide in access to broadband and digital devices between urban and rural communities means that telehealth access has not been equally enjoyed across space.

Keywords: broadband; Rural areas;

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Provider: Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

Part of Series: Regional Matters

Publication Date: 2024-10-31