The University of Minnesota features comments from Professor Carrie Henning-Smith on broadband and rural health…

“High-speed broadband internet matters for access to health care, but also to employment, educational opportunities, goods and services and social interaction.”

“Rural communities face inequities in accessing broadband internet and this new funding will help to address those by expanding broadband connectivity across the country. However, it is not enough to simply provide broadband connections; we must also ensure that broadband access is affordable and dependable and that people have the devices and skills with which to meaningfully use it.”

“This funding includes specific provisions for affordability, reliability, devices, skills and support for broadband internet use. Going forward, it will be important to monitor the impact of this funding on current inequities in rural connectivity and, ultimately, rural residents’ health and well-being.”

Carrie Henning-Smith is deputy director of the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center, co-director of the University of Minnesota Rural Health Program and an associate professor in the Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota School of Public Health. Her research focuses on social drivers of health, access to care, and aging and long-term care.