Meeting the Health Needs of Rural America

Five big ideas to improve the health of rural populations in the United States include "Modernize Rural Infrastructure." Rural internet service is essential for economic development but also increasingly for effective patient care with the growing use of remote patient monitoring and virtual care platforms. Telehealth, an evidence-based modality for many types of care, is possible only if patients and providers have broadband Internet service. Information technology upgrades are also needed in rural hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Health information technology, including interoperability, is critical for care continuity as patients often spread their care between a local rural hospital and an urban or suburban hospital. Technology can also be the platform on which specialist consultations occur.