Reducing Digital Discrimination and Stressors by Improving Broadband Adoption in Historically Redlined Areas

Abstract

Broadband adoption is a determinant of health that intersects with other sociological determinants such as education and employment. Due to the rising reliance on digital technology, lack of broadband adoption prevents individuals from accessing the essential resources needed to fully participate in 21st century educational and employment opportunities. Vulnerable populations experience greater impacts of divestment, and therefore experience greater sociological stressors and worse health outcomes. These communities are left behind with slower services and more expensive internet service plans, as physical proximity to broadband does not necessarily predict broadband adoption. The benefits of broadband adoption and the harms of its absence are magnified for youth and other vulnerable groups, with youth relying more heavily on digital services. The author recommends that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Task Force to Prevent Digital Discrimination increase broadband adoption for vulnerable communities by strengthening community-based partnerships to provide culturally competent resources and adopting equity-based national digital health standards that provide greater transparency of data and accountability for discriminatory deployment decisions.