The Digital Divide & Telehealth
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how important internet-based technology is to access telehealth services and how the digital divide exacerbates existing inequities in access to health care. Many patients without adequate internet access have needed to rely on audio-only telehealth for their care. In response to the digital divide, Governor Newsom and the California Legislature have leveraged the state surplus to make a landmark state investment in broadband infrastructure in a bold attempt to close the digital divide. Join our panel discussion on the current state of these digital inequities within California and how it affects patients and providers. Panelists will provide background on the fundamentals of broadband and how California’s investment in broadband infrastructure will impact the digital divide.
