Telehealth Could Ease Health Disparities in Rural US

Americans living in rural areas are less likely to have access to quality health care than people living in urban areas, but telehealth technology could help address the disparity, according to a report by the UnitedHealth Center for Health Reform and Modernization. The report suggests that broader adoption of electronic health records and telehealth technology could help address the health disparities affecting rural residents.

To achieve these goals, the report recommends:

• Expanding rural broadband connectivity to allow for an expansion in telehealth;
• Improving health care reimbursement policies to encourage greater use of telehealth;
• Increasing the availability of telehealth programs; and
• Reducing regulatory barriers to using telehealth