Gaps in Rural Healthcare and Technology’s Evolving Role in Addressing Them

Abstract

The gap in mortality rate due to disease between rural and urban communities is substantial and continues to grow. There is no one root cause to this disparity, so there is no simple solution either. In order to even begin to reverse the trend, it is vital to understand the factors that contribute to health outcomes in rural communities. Part of this analysis includes studying where individuals are getting information about their health and healthcare. With the growth of the internet over the last three decades, this landscape has been dynamic. It becomes important to dissect its impact on health behaviors to avoid the same pitfalls as the new era of technology, marked by artificial intelligence, continues to grow exponentially.