Unfortunately however, this tool showed something that also seems all too obvious; that poor access to the Internet correlates to poorer health. According to the FCC, it’s no surprise these are the same people who don’t have access to high quality care, and it just becomes an endless cycle. The FCC commissioner also confirmed that “there are some communities that bear a “double burden…they have the lowest connectivity and the highest need.” I imagine though it’s probably more like the majority bears this double burden than just some. We need to use this information to break this cycle.

Throughout nursing school, I have learned that improving primary preventative care is the major trend in healthcare delivery. But how can we improve it if we are not addressing the neediest populations? Yes, we can set up screening sites, health education fairs or seminars, etc. in their communities, but that cannot always be done on a consistent basis. The Internet would allow them to research, seek out immunization or screening sites, learn about support groups, online health intervention programs, and gives them 24/7 access to educational tools and their medical records. Rural and minority communities have multiple barriers to quality healthcare information and treatment, many probably do not have health insurance, but providing them with Internet access can decrease their need to seek treatment in the first place and currently may be the most economical solution. It is my hope that this tool instigates investments and new policies to address this clear disparity in community health.

Reference:
https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-340565A1.pdf