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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Broadband

Poverty and Access to Internet, by County
Data visualization representing internet access via computers and smartphones, broadband access, and percentage of individuals in poverty at the county level.
Date: 06/2021
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Mobile Technology and Home Broadband 2021
Discusses results of a survey on broadband access and smartphone ownership. Presents data by sociodemographic characteristics, including rural/urban residence. Addresses internet connection issues, smartphone dependence, and cost issues.
Author(s): Andrew Perrin
Date: 06/2021
Sponsoring organization: Pew Research Center
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Overview of the Universal Service Fund and Selected Federal Broadband Programs
Provides an overview of federal programs supporting broadband deployment. Highlights programs established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Date: 06/2021
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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AHA Future of Rural Health Care Task Force: Final Recommendations
Presents the recommendations of the American Hospital Association Future of Rural Health Care Task Force, including innovation-based solutions and promising practices. Solutions include public-private funding changes for core services, flexible rural hospital infrastructure funding programs, creating a rural design center, and supporting grant writing services. Explores promising rural initiatives such as telemedicine, strategic partnerships, maternal health efforts, broadband investment, and rural philanthropy.
Date: 05/2021
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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5G Fund for Rural America
Provides an overview of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) efforts to expand universal service to include telecommunications and high-speed internet services. Describes the 5G Fund, how data will be collected, how funds will be awarded, and the two phases of the program.
Date: 05/2021
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Broadband in Rural America: Faster Speeds for Home and Healthcare
Highlights the importance of rural broadband infrastructure for access to telehealth, patient portals, and other services. Features a Colorado countywide broadband program, Alabama telehealth services provided via county health departments, and a program providing healthcare access to rural veterans in Kentucky.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Computer and Internet Use in the United States: 2018
Provides data on computer and Internet use by household characteristics, including location in a rural or urban area, for the nation and by region. Includes information on owning a desktop or laptop computer, owning a smartphone, owning a tablet, having an Internet subscription, and having broadband access.
Author(s): Michael Martin
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Census Bureau
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COVID-19 Response: Broadband Funding for Tribes, Tribal Colleges and Universities, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Indian Education, and the Indian Health Service
Identifies indirect and direct broadband funding for American Indian tribes, tribal colleges and universities, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Indian Education, and the Indian Health Service authorized in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act; Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021; and American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Date: 03/2021
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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The Digital Divide: What Is It, Where Is It, and Federal Assistance Programs
Describes the availability of broadband internet access in the United States by state and across urban, rural, and tribal areas. Outlines federal programs to fund and support broadband infrastructure and deployment.
Date: 03/2021
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021: Broadband Provisions - In Brief
Provides an overview of broadband-related provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. Discusses the COVID-19 Telehealth Program and the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. Highlights new grant programs to support broadband connectivity on tribal lands and broadband infrastructure deployment to areas lacking broadband.
Date: 03/2021
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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