U.S. Value: 89.4% (2020); 92.4% (2021); 92.9 (2022).

Healthiest State: Washington: 93.7% (2020); 95.2% (2021); New Hampshire: 95.4% (2022).

Least-healthy States: Mississippi, New Mexico: 81.4% (2020); 85.2% (2021); Mississippi: 87.7% (2022).

Definition: Percentage of households with a broadband internet subscription and a computer, smartphone or tablet

Data Source and Years: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2022

Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2024.

WHY DOES THIS MATTER?

High-speed internet, also known as broadband internet, is an important resource for work, education and efficient communication. Access to the internet is a human right according to the United Nations, citing the internet’s importance for social and economic development. Researchers have also recently identified access to high-speed internet as a social determinant of health. It was especially crucial during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, as many employers and educators transitioned to remote work and learning. Having high-speed internet is also vital for receiving health care via telehealth.

Despite its necessity, there are barriers to high-speed internet access, including cost and insufficient infrastructure. Lack of access to high-speed internet can restrict access to basic government services, educational and economic opportunities, accessible health care through telemedicine and avenues for social connectedness.

WHO IS AFFECTED?

The prevalence of high-speed internet is higher among:

• Asian, multiracial and white households compared with American Indian/Alaska Native and Black households.
• Those with a college degree compared with those with a high school education or less.
• Those with an annual household income of $50,000 or more compared with those with incomes less than $30,000.
• Those living in urban areas compared with those living in rural areas.

Lack of access to education and telehealth services caused by the lack of high-speed internet disproportionately affected rural communities and racial/ethnic minority populations.

GOALS

Healthy People 2030 has a goal to increase the proportion of adults with broadband internet access.

Source: https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/annual/measure/internet/state/IN  Last accessed March 2024.

The biggest barriers to accessing high-speed internet at home are cost and lack of digital skills. State policies and strategies that improve broadband internet access include:

• Providing financing and incentives for organizations and companies working to improve access to high-speed internet services.
• Improving access to publicly owned infrastructure that supports the implementation of high-speed internet services.

Households eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program can receive discounted or no-cost high-speed internet. Individuals can see the program's eligibility requirements and apply online.

Source: https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/annual/measure/internet/state/IN Last accessed March 2024.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) estimates that 19 million people in the United States lack access to reliable broadband service, also known as reliable high-speed internet.³ This phenomenon is known as the digital divide and has focused on rural areas and “pockets of segregated urban areas [that] are also disconnected”.¹

Internet access has become an essential component of daily life and the digital divide has contributed to the time and distance gap between doctors and patients, also known as the broadband health gap.⁵

Source: https://www.samhsa.gov/blog/digital-access-super-determinant-health Last accessed March 2024

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program to help low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices. Under the Indiana Connectivity Program, state officials want to find more homes and businesses without high-speed internet access and connect them to broadband providers. The program will allow Hoosiers to directly inform the state that their home or business lacks high-speed internet access. If they qualify, the state will connect that resident or business with a broadband provider and help fund the necessary work.

Hoosiers can submit their information for the program on the Next Level Communications portal. Hoosiers can also call the Indiana Broadband Connect Center starting  at 833-639-8522 

Source(s): https://fox59.com/indianapolitics/new-indiana-program-works-to-connect-more-hoosiers-to-broadband/ Last accessed March 2024

https://www.in.gov/ocra/broadband/  Last accessed March 2024

https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/annual/measure/internet/state/IN  Last accessed March 2024.