Broadband deserts and reproductive care: catastrophic impacts on health resources

We often don’t think the internet is good for our health. In fact, “Internet” and “Health” are primarily related in the negative context of online spaces – we get Too much screen timewe are “chronically” online and so on.

That may be a surprise, but internet access is generally The “super” determinants of health. There is limited internet access Related to high mortality rates during the Covid-19 pandemicAnd getting the internet easily means you can stay informed about our health, tap on prescriptions, consult with your doctor, and access pregnancy and reproductive care.

Sarah Javaid and Lexi Rummel are among several researchers who highlight this connection. Following on to Roev. Wade abolishedabortion and access to reproductive care has become important nationwide, especially in places with no adequate access to the internet.

How digital disparities affect underrepresented communities

According to the findings of Rummel and Javaid’s ReportIt is published by National Women’s Law Centeralmost half of all US counties Abortion desertor counties with travel distances over 100 miles to the nearest abortion care facility. 53% of the abortion desert are also pregnant care deserts. In particular, more than 740,000 women live in the county. Broadband Desert And it’s a desert of abortion care, and nearly a third of those women are women of color.

“I think broadband could be the ultimate way for people to access abortion care,” Javaid, a senior research analyst at the National Center for Women’s Law and a lead researcher for the report, told CNET.

Reproductive care is essential for services such as cancer screening, gender-affirming care, and sexually transmitted disease (STI) testing and treatment. Black women and other women of color are overrepresented in the desert of abortion care, which amplifies vulnerability to negative health outcomes.

According to Human Rights Watch’s 2022 reportBlack women are more than 1.5 times more likely to die from cervical cancer, like white women. This is a cancer that Human Rights Watch can prevent through daily screening and follow-up care.

The Javaid and Rummel report explores the desert intersection of abortion care, pregnancy care, broadband and food in America.

“Women don’t live a single problem life. This report highlights that when they look at data,” says Rammel, a health equity and justice lawyer at the National Center for Women’s Law. “There are important intersecting barriers that women face to access critical reproductive healthcare and resources across the United States.”

The meaning of broadband deserts for reproductive resources

The Internet plays a key role in closing the gaps in abortion care, pregnancy care and even food deserts. The report defines the abortion desert as a county more than 100 miles away, but Javaid admits it doesn’t fully grasp the challenge.

“100 miles is still a long way to go,” Javaid said. “And if you don’t have access to public transport and you don’t have access to a reliable vehicle, 25 miles can be an abortion desert for you.”

Furthermore, the effects of one desert compound when multiple deserts overlap. In the case of broadband deserts, preventive care cannot be obtained via Telehealth visit It means that you are deprived of early catching health issues and dangerous pregnancy conditions. The Internet effectively bridges the desert gaps in reproductive care, allowing women to consult with their doctors and find abortion care and pregnancy care facilities.

According to the report, one in 10 US counties is broadband desert, with over half of its residents not able to access at least 100Mbps down/20Mbps (A Definitions set by the Federal Communications Commission).

The broadband desert is technically one of the less common deserts of reporting, but this definition relies on outdated FCC data for 2022.

“Because there’s a lack of data that exists, the report would say it’s narrower than we wanted,” Javaid told me. “Because of the way we collect data, we know that it’s probably a lack of it. There’s really no great broadband data collection out there.”

“I think there are probably four times more broadband deserts than they (Rummel and Javaid) know,” says Christopher Mitchell director, Community Broadband Network Initiative in Local Independence Research Institutetold CNET.

Broadband may seem easy to access for some, but the truth is, for many, it’s still out of hand. Although 94% of US households are able to use broadband, According to the current FCC numberthe data does not take into account the number of homes registered with the Internet service.

“I recommend thinking about broadband desert from the supply side and ideas from the demand side,” he said. Benton Institute for Broadband Societytold CNET. “The other side of the coin is the number of households that employ broadband in a particular area.”

Not only is it internet access, but it’s also reasonably priced

Although broadband availability has improved significantly in recent years, adoption rates are still low in low income communities. Color Community. 2024 Pu Research Center The survey found that only 57% of adults with under $30,000 a year have an internet subscription. US Census Data He pointed out that from 2021, low-income households, seniors and communities of color are likely “smartphone-only” households.

Recent data from Ookla reported it Broadband split worsened in 32 states 2024 potentially some End of the Affordable Connectivity Programoffering low-income families a huge $30 discount on their monthly internet bills. (Disclaimer: Ookla is owned by Ziff Davis, the same company that owns CNET.)

“There are a lot of broadband deserts where connections are available, but people can’t use them,” Mitchell said. “High prices, lack of devices, past debt are all common.”

“In terms of income distribution, at least 20% of US households are where we begin to see a significant drop in home internet adoption rates,” Holligan said.

Recent policies like President Trump Big beautiful billreducing supplemental nutrition support programs brings challenges to people affected by broadband, food and reproduction deserts (snap) and Medicaid.

Dobbsv. With Jackson’s passing, access to safe reproductive care is now more threatened than ever. Infant mortality rate increased After Dobbs died, Specifically, in states that have enacted a full or six-week abortion ban..

“We still don’t know the true impact of DOBBS’ decision,” Javaid told me. “We don’t know what we’ve known for a few years. It’s very important to rely on the community and people’s experiences to understand what’s going on.”

Some possible solutions to make broadband more affordable and ensure access to telehealth include the state’s low income requirements. New York’s $15 low income plan It is necessary for ISPs who provide services to over 20,000 households.

on the other hand Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment Programs Bead says it has not brought about build-outs yet. Bead says it allows funds for non-deployment purposes and could improve connectivity by investing in anchor institutions such as libraries and hospitals.

How can you help

Non-expanded funds are considered to be “under review.” Latest Notifications The National Communications and Information Agency, the federal agency that oversees Bead. While NTIA and Beads are being rebuilt, community-based solutions are more important than ever to ensure that overlooked communities return online.

You can easily contact us to participate State broadband offices And learn what statewide or community-centric initiatives are implemented near you. Your local representative needs to know that Broadband splitting It’s a topic of concern for you – that’s why reaching out and calling is always important. You can find contact information for local representatives here.