Socioeconomic differences in digital inequality among Chinese older adults: Results from a nationally representative sample.

The current study seeks to investigate digital inequality among older adults in China, specifically examining two socially defined age groups: young-old adults (aged 60-74) and old-old adults (aged 75+). Descriptive statistics and multiple regression were used to examine the prevalence of and identify the factors associated with Internet access, usage (frequency and breadth containing 11 activities), skills, and social support. The study used data from the 2018 China Longitudinal Ageing Social Survey (CLASS) which consisted of 11,419 respondents aged 60 years and older. We found that 40.22% of older adults had access to the Internet, and 18.27% used it regularly. Socioeconomic factors played a crucial role in determining Internet access and usage, with young-old adults with higher education using the Internet more frequently, deliberately, and competently. Those with higher economic status had greater social support to use it, and the old-old adults with higher socioeconomic status were more likely to have Internet access. This study has implications for prioritizing targeted policies and interventions aimed at supporting socioeconomically disadvantaged older adults and ensuring equal opportunities for all to access and benefit from the digital world.

Digital economy development and the urban-rural income gap: Evidence from Chinese cities.

The growth of the digital economy has created new forms of inequality of opportunity. This paper studies whether the development of the digital economy expands the income gap between urban and rural areas from theoretical and empirical. The research based on the panel data of 202 cities from 2011 to 2019 in China shows that: (1) Although the digital economy can promote the improvement of both urban and rural absolute income levels, it has a greater positive impact on urban residents' income levels than on rural residents', resulting in a widening of the urban-rural income gap. (2) The analysis of the action mechanism reveals that employment in the information service industry and the depth of digital finance use are two crucial mechanisms for the digital economy to widen the income gap between urban and rural areas. (3) The spatial Durbin model(SDM) and the spatial error model(SEM) based on three spatial weight matrices show that the impact of the digital economy on the urban-rural income gap is also characterized by spatial spillover, and the development of the digital economy will also have a negative impact on the urban-rural income gap in neighboring regions as well. (4) The main conclusions still hold after the robustness of quasi-natural experiments based on the strategy of "Broadband China" and the selection of historical data as instrumental variables. This research is helpful to understand the effects, mechanisms and spatial characteristics of digital economy on urban-rural income gap.

Perfil dos médicos Programa Mais Médicos na Bahia e a utilização da ferramenta do Telessaúde / Profile of Mais Médicos physicians in Bahia and the use of Telehealth / Perfil de los médicos del Programa Más Médicos en Bahía y el uso de la herramienta Telesalud

A vivência no curso de pós-graduação em forma de residência em Planejamento e Gestão no Programa Mais Médicos (PMM) no estado da Bahia possibilitou a construção de um painel, cujos objetivos principais foram retratar o perfil dos médicos que atuam no estado no referido programa e a utilização da ferramenta do Telessaúde. Para construir essa experiência, a metodologia foi baseada em um estudo descritivo, que permitiu uma coleta de dados e o atendimento das metas propostas. Dessa forma, foi possível perceber que os profissionais médicos que atuam no PMM-BA são, em sua maioria, mulheres 764 (52,1%); um total de 703 (47,9%) corresponde aos homens, que declararam possuir registro profissional, sendo 922 (62,8%) no Conselho Regional de Medicina (CRM) e 520 (35,4%) no Registro Médico de Saúde (RMS); 25 (1,7%) não informaram o registro. Quanto ao uso da plataforma Telessaúde, os dados demonstraram que 567 (49,5%) conhecem e possuem cadastro na plataforma, 381 (33,2%) participaram de treinamentos e 446 (38,9%) utilizam a ferramenta. O assunto estudado permitiu propor algumas recomendações, dentre as quais destacam-se: maior investimento em infraestrutura e equipamentos eletrônicos, tais como computadores e acesso à internet, principalmente em localidades mais distantes; treinamento e orientação sobre o uso da plataforma e sua importância para o trabalho na Atenção Básica.

The graduate program residency in Planning and Management within the Mais Médicos Program (PMM) in the state of Bahia, Brazil, allowed us to build a tableau, whose main objective was to outline the profile of physicians working in that program and the use of Telehealth. To build an experience that would allow data collection and fulfillment of the proposed goals, this study adopted a descriptive approach. Thus, results showed that most medical professionals working in the PMM-BA are women 764 (52.1%), while men account for 703 (47.9%) professionals, who declared having a professional register, with 922 (62.8%) on the Regional Council of Medicine (CRM) and 520 (35.4%) on the Medical Health Record (RMS); 25 (1.7%) did not inform a register. Regarding the use of the Telehealth platform, data showed that 567 (49.5%) physicians know and have a subscription on the platform, 381 (33.2%) participated in training and 446 (38.9%) use the tool. These findings allowed for some recommendations, such as greater investment in infrastructure and electronic equipment, like computers and internet access, especially in remote locations; training and advisement on how to use the platform and its importance for Primary Care.

La experiencia en el posgrado en la modalidad de residencia en Planificación y Gestión en el Programa Más Médicos en el estado de Bahía (PMM-BA) permitió construir un panel cuyo objetivo principal fue retratar el perfil de los médicos que actúan en el estado con ese programa y ​​el uso de la herramienta Telesalud. Para construir esta experiencia, la metodología se basó en un estudio descriptivo, que permitió la recolección de datos y el cumplimiento de las metas propuestas. Así, fue posible percibir que el profesional médico que actúa en el PMM-BA es en su mayoría mujeres 764 (52,1%); un total de 703 (47,9%) corresponden a hombres, que declararon tener un historial profesional, con 922 (62,8%) en el Consejo Regional de Medicina (CRM) y 520 (35,4%) en el Registr o Médico de Salud (RMS); 25 (1,7%) no informaron el registro. En cuanto al uso de la plataforma Telesalud, los datos mostraron que 567 (49,5%) conocen y tienen registro en ella, 381 (33,2%) participaron en capacitaciones y 446 (38,9%) utilizan la herramienta. El tema estudiado permitió proponer algunas recomendaciones, entre las que se destacan: mayor inversión en infraestructura y equipos electrónicos, como computadoras y acceso a internet, especialmente en las localidades más alejadas; formación y orientación sobre el uso de la plataforma y su importancia para el trabajo en Atención Primaria.

Barreras de acceso a la telemedicina en tiempos de COVID-19, un desafío profesional y gubernamental / Barriers to Access to Telemedicine during COVID-19, a Professional and Governmental Challenge / Barreiras no acesso à telemedicina em tempos de COVID-19, um desafio profissional e governamental

Estimada Editora: La pandemia secundaria a la infección por SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) aisló durante meses al mundo y produjo un impacto en las cifras de morbilidad y mortalidad. Al 27 de agosto de 2021 se han reportado a nivel mundial 215,047,649 casos y 4,480,486 muertes. En Colombia, para la misma fecha se reportaron 4,899,085 casos y 124,567 muertes (1). Entre las medidas sanitarias para disminuir la propagación de la infección se implementó el aislamiento obligatorio, condición que impulsó a todos los sectores a generar transformaciones. Para el caso del sistema de salud, entre sus estrategias se generó una rápida implementación de la telemedicina (TM). El término TM se introdujo en 1970 como la "curación a distancia", definida por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) como "la prestación de servicios de atención médica mediante el uso de tecnologías de la información y la comunicación para realizar un diagnóstico, tratamiento y prevención de enfermedades" (2). Los objetivos de la TM son mejorar la calidad del servicio de salud, reducción de los costos de transporte, disminución de los tiempos de espera para la atención y brindar mayor oportunidad de atención a zonas geográficas distantes. Sumado a lo anterior, en el contexto de la pandemia permitió disminuir la exposición a la infección en los pacientes y profesionales en salud (3,4).

Dear editor: The pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection isolated the world for months and impacted morbidity and mortality rate figures. 215,047,649 cases and 4,480,486 deaths have been reported worldwide as of August 27, 2021. In Colombia, 4,899,085 cases and 124,567 deaths were reported as of the same date (1). Mandatory isolation was among the health measures to reduce propagation. This situation drove all sectors to transform. With respect to the health care system, telemedicine (TM) was quickly implemented as one of its strategies. The term TM was introduced in 1970 as "healing at a distance," defined by the World Health Organization as "The delivery of health care services using information and communication technologies for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease" (2). The objectives of TM are to improve the quality of health care services, reduce transportation costs, reduce wait times and provide more opportunities to attend to geographically distant areas. In addition to the above, it allowed decreasing patients and health care professionals' exposure to the infection in pandemic context (3,4).

Cara Editora: A pandemia secundária à infecção por SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) isolou o mundo por meses e teve um impacto nos números de morbidade e mortalidade. Até 27 de agosto de 2021, 215.047.649 casos e 4.480.486 mortes foram relatados em todo o mundo. Na Colômbia, para a mesma data, foram notificados 4.899.085 casos e 124.567 óbitos (1). Entre as medidas sanitárias para reduzir a propagação do contágio, foi implementado o isolamento obrigatório, condição que levou todos os setores a gerar transformações. No caso do sistema de saúde, uma de suas estratégias foi a rápida implantação da telemedicina (TM). O termo TM foi introduzido em 1970 como "cura à distância", definido pela Organização Mundial da Saúde como "a prestação de serviços de saúde por meio do uso de tecnologias de informação e comunicação para realizar diagnóstico, tratamento e prevenção de doenças" (2). Os objetivos do TM são melhorar a qualidade dos serviços de saúde, reduzir os custos de transporte, diminuir os tempos de espera para atendimento e proporcionar maior oportunidade de atendimento em áreas geográficas distantes. Além do exposto, no contexto da pandemia, permitiu reduzir a exposição à infecção em pacientes e profissionais de saúde (3,4).

Evaluating barriers to and promoters of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic at U.S. cystic fibrosis programs.

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis (CF) care programs in the United States rapidly adopted telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding factors that promote or impede telehealth will inform planning for future telehealth-enabled care models. METHODS: Adult, pediatric, and affiliate CF care programs in the United States (n = 287) were surveyed twice eight months apart in 2020-2021 about telehealth use. Programs were asked to describe barriers to and promoters of telehealth. RESULTS: Ninety-seven percent of programs provided telehealth services. In the first CF Care Program State of Care Survey (SoC1), programs estimated that 57% of patients exclusively received in-person care, 36% of patients received telehealth by phone/computer with video, and 8% of patients received telephone-only care. In the second CF Care Program State of Care Survey (SoC2), programs estimated that 80% of visits were in-person and 15% were via audio and video telehealth. Pediatric programs (21%) were less likely than adult (37%) or affiliate (41%) programs to recommend telehealth (p = 0.007). All programs ranked lack of internet access as the highest barrier to patient engagement with telehealth. Promoters of telehealth were increased accessibility and avoidance of infection transmission. Top ranked changes to improve telehealth were expanded provision of remote monitoring devices and technology access. Similar proportions of program types anticipated institutional telehealth expansion. CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, CF programs in the United States identified factors to improve future care delivery via telehealth. Targeting specific barriers and promoters will improve the use and quality of telehealth throughout the care center network.

Conectividad y ancho de banda: áreas clave para mejorar la salud pública

Para una implementación eficiente y eficaz de la tecnología en la agenda de salud pública, la conectividad y el ancho de banda son fundamentales para el éxito tanto a nivel mundial como en la Región de las Américas. La conectividad digital para todos puede enriquecer la prestación de servicios de salud, mejorar la calidad del servicio y la seguridad del paciente y aumentar la eficiencia y coordinación de la atención. A través de soluciones digitales, los gobiernos y las instituciones relacionadas con la salud pueden ampliar la posibilidad de que las personas desempeñen un papel activo en el mantenimiento de su propia salud y bienestar. Dirigida a lectores no técnicos, esta breve publicación explora por qué la conectividad y el ancho de banda deben ser prioridades en la salud pública. A través de secciones intencionalmente breves, ilustra el potencial de la conectividad y el ancho de banda para mejorar el flujo sostenible de servicios para satisfacer los requisitos de oferta y demanda en salud pública. Sin embargo, también advierte que podrían exacerbar las desigualdades existentes e incluso dar lugar a nuevas. Señala que las poblaciones y sectores de la sociedad que ya son vulnerables sufren más por la falta de conectividad. Así, también en el campo de la transformación tecnológica y digital, el enfoque no debe dejar a nadie atrás. La publicación destaca esto como un gran desafío para las políticas de salud pública en las Américas, que deben solidificar la promesa de la transformación digital para reducir las disparidades en el capital sanitario, social, económico y digital entre las personas de la Región. La publicación analiza varias cuestiones, como qué significa la conectividad digital y si la Región está preparada para la era de la interdependencia digital. También muestra cómo los temas se relacionan con la Iniciativa de Sistemas de Información para la Salud y con los Ocho Principios para la Transformación Digital de la Salud Pública lanzados por la Organización Panamericana de la Salud en febrero de 2021.

Participação social e democratização das mídias: caminhos para ampliar os direitos à comunicação e à saúde / Social participation and media democratization: ways to expand the rights to communication and health / Participación social y democratización de los medios de comunicación: formas de ampliar los derechos de comunicación y salud

O livro Direito à Comunicação e Saúde discute a inter-relação entre esses dois direitos humanos e o seu reflexo no exercício da cidadania. Os autores traçaram uma retrospectiva das interfaces entre os dois campos, sobretudo a partir das mobilizações que originaram o Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) e do cenário regulatório da radiodifusão e da Internet no país. A democratização da comunicação brasileira e a ampliação da participação social foram descritas como elementos centrais para configuração de uma sociedade democrática. A obra defende a comunicação como um bem público, que dever ser partilhado por todos.

The book Right to Communication and Health discusses the interrelationship between these two human rights and their reflection on the exercise of citizenship. The authors look back on the connection between these two fields, especially from the mobilizations that originated the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) and the regulatory scenario (broadcasting and the Internet) in the country. The democratization of Brazilian communications and the expansion of social participation were described as central elements for the configuration of a democratic society. The work advocates for communication as a public good that should be collectively shared.

El libro Derecho a la Comunicación y a la Salud analiza la interrelación entre estos dos derechos humanos y su reflejo en el ejercicio de la ciudadanía. Los autores trazan una retrospectiva de las interfaces entre los dos campos, especialmente a partir de las movilizaciones que originaron el Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) y el escenario regulatorio de la radiodifusión e Internet en el país. La democratización de la comunicación brasileña y la ampliación de la participación social fueron descritas como elementos centrales para la configuración de una sociedad democrática. La obra defiende la comunicación como un bien público que debe ser compartido por todos.

National-Level Disparities in Internet Access Among Low-Income and Black and Hispanic Youth: Current Population Survey.

BACKGROUND: Internet access is increasingly critical for adolescents with regard to obtaining health information and resources, participating in web-based health promotion, and communicating with health practitioners. However, past work demonstrates that access is not uniform among youth in the United States, with lower access found among groups with higher health-related needs. Population-level data yield important insights about access and internet use in the United States. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to examine internet access and mode of access by social class and race and ethnicity among youth (aged 14-17 years) in the United States. METHODS: Using the Current Population Survey, we examined internet access, cell phone or smartphone access, and modes of connecting to the internet for adolescents in 2015 (unweighted N=6950; expanded weights N=17,103,547) and 2017 (unweighted N=6761; expanded weights N=17,379,728). RESULTS: Internet access increased from 2015 to 2017, but socioeconomic status (SES) and racial and ethnic disparities remained. In 2017, the greatest disparities were found for youth in low-income households (no home access=23%) and for Black youth (no home access=18%) and Hispanic youth (no home access=14%). Low-income Black and Hispanic youth were the most likely to lack home internet access (no home access, low SES Black youth=29%; low SES Hispanic youth=21%). The mode of access (eg, from home and smartphone) and smartphone-only analyses also revealed disparities. CONCLUSIONS: Without internet access, web-based dissemination of information, health promotion, and health care will not reach a significant segment of youth. Currently, SES and racial and ethnic disparities in access prolong health inequalities. Moreover, the economic impact of COVID-19 on Black, Hispanic, and low-income communities may lead to losses in internet access for youth that will further exacerbate disparities.

Disparities in Audio-only Telemedicine Use Among Medicare Beneficiaries During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Under emergency coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic regulations, Medicare granted temporary payment parity with in-person visits for audio-only (telephone) telemedicine visits. This policy was designed to expand telemedicine to patients without camera-equipped devices and broadband internet. However, audio-only telemedicine use has been substantial. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore whether the rate of audio-only telemedicine during the pandemic is related to patient access to technology or provider behavior. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of the Summer and Fall 2020 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey coronavirus disease 2019 supplements, using multivariable logistic models and accounting for complex survey design. SUBJECTS: A total of 3375 participants in the summer survey and 2633 participants in the fall 2020 were offered a telemedicine visit to replace a scheduled in-person visit by their usual care provider. MEASURES: We compared beneficiaries who were exclusively offered audio-only telemedicine to beneficiaries who were offered video telemedicine or both audio and video. RESULTS: We found that among Medicare beneficiaries who were offered telemedicine to replace a scheduled in-person appointment, ~35% were exclusively offered audio-only. 65.8% of beneficiaries exclusively offered audio-only reported having a smartphone/tablet and home internet. After controlling for personal access to technology, Hispanic [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.09, P<0.001], dually eligible (AOR=1.63, P=0.002), nonprimary English speaking (AOR=1.64, P<0.001), and nonmetro beneficiaries (AOR=1.71, P=0.003) were more likely to be offered audio-only during July-November 2020. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest audio-only telemedicine use during the pandemic is only partially related to patient access to technology. Policymakers must work to both expand programs that provide smartphones and broadband internet to disparity communities and telemedicine infrastructure to providers.

Internet Access, Social Risk Factors, and Web-Based Social Support Seeking Behavior: Assessing Correlates of the "Digital Divide" Across Neighborhoods in The State of Maryland.

We aimed to empirically measure the degree to which there is a "digital divide" in terms of access to the internet at the small-area community level within the State of Maryland and the City of Baltimore and to assess the relationship and association of this divide with community-level SDOH risk factors, community-based social service agency location, and web-mediated support service seeking behavior. To assess the socio-economic characteristics of the neighborhoods across the state, we calculated the Area Deprivation Index (ADI) using the U.S. Census, American Community Survey (5-year estimates) of 2017. To assess the digital divide, at the community level, we used the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) data on the number of residential fixed Internet access service connections. We assessed the availability of and web-based access to community-based social service agencies using data provided by the "Aunt Bertha" information platform. We performed community and regional level descriptive and special analyses for ADI social risk factors, connectivity, and both the availability of and web-based searches for community-based social services. To help assess potential neighborhood linked factors associated with the rates of web-based social services searches by individuals in need, we applied logistic regression using generalized estimating equation modeling. Baltimore City contained more disadvantaged neighborhoods compared to other areas in Maryland. In Baltimore City, 20.3% of neighborhoods (defined by census block groups) were disadvantaged with ADI at the 90th percentile while only 6.6% of block groups across Maryland were in this disadvantaged category. Across the State, more than half of all census tracts had 801-1000 households (per 1000 households) with internet subscription. In contrast, in Baltimore City about half of all census tracts had only 401-600 of the households (per 1000 households) with internet subscriptions. Most block groups in Maryland and Baltimore City lacked access to social services facilities (61% of block groups at the 90th percentile of disadvantage in Maryland and 61.3% of block groups at the 90th percentile of disadvantage in Baltimore City). After adjusting for other variables, a 1% increase in the ADI measure of social disadvantage, resulting in a 1.7% increase in the number of individuals seeking social services. While more work is needed, our findings support the premise that the digital divide is closely associated with other SDOH factors. The policymakers must propose policies to address the digital divide on a national level and also in disadvantaged communities experiencing the digital divide in addition to other SDOH challenges.

Enseñanza y aprendizaje de los determinantes sociales en salud en la región de las Américas / Teaching and learning of social determinants in health in the region of the Americas

Introducción: La región de las Américas es considerada como la más desigual del mundo. Los recursos humanos en salud resultan fundamentales para superar estas diferencias mediante el abordaje de los Determinantes Sociales. Objetivo: Revisar los procesos de enseñanza y aprendizaje de los Determinantes Sociales en programas de ciencias de la salud en la región de las Américas. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión de la literatura mediante la búsqueda de documentos oficiales y artículos en las bases de datos Web of Science, Clinicalkey, PubMed, Science Direct y Lilacs. Se seleccionaron 68 documentos para su análisis. Resultados: La región de las Américas ha tenido un avance significativo en cuanto a la inclusión de las políticas públicas que actúan sobre los Determinantes y que ayudan a que los recursos humanos en salud se formen con enfoque de atención primaria. Sin embargo, es importante que las facultades de ciencias de la salud de la región profundicen en el conocimiento de estrategias pedagógicas y de investigación, y que faciliten la enseñanza y el aprendizaje de los Determinantes. A su vez, se observan avances en la inclusión de la Educación Interprofesional en la región. Conclusiones: Los programas de ciencias de la salud deben profundizar en la aplicación de estrategias pedagógicas y de investigación, que faciliten la enseñanza y el aprendizaje de los Determinantes, los cuales promueven la reflexión del papel de profesional en la disminución de las inequidades sociales y el mejoramiento en la salud de la población(AU)

Introduction: The region of the Americas is considered as the most unequal in the world. Human resources in health are essential for overcoming these differences, by means of addressing social determinants. Objective: To review the processes of teaching and learning about social determinants in health science programs in the region of the Americas. Methods: A literature review was carried out by searching for official documents and articles in the databases ofWeb of Science, Clinicalkey, PubMed, Science Direct and Lilacs databases. Sixty-eight documents were selected for the analysis. Results: The region of the Americas has made significant progress in terms of including public policies influencing on determinants and helping human resources in health to be trained under a primary care approach. However, it is important thathealth sciences schools in the region deepen their knowledge of pedagogical and research strategies, as well as they facilitate teaching and learning of the determinants. At the same time, progress has been observed regarding the inclusion of interprofessional education in the region. Conclusions: Health sciences programs should deepen the application of pedagogical and research strategies that facilitate teaching and learning of the determinants, which foster reflection about the role of professionals in reducing social inequalities and improving population health(AU)

The Availability and Quality of Food Labelling Components in the Canadian E-Grocery Retail Environment.

BACKGROUND: Although packaged foods sold in retail stores must follow food labelling regulations, there are no e-grocery food labelling regulations to mandate and standardize the availability and presentation of product information. Therefore, the objective of the study was to evaluate the availability and quality of food labelling components in the Canadian e-grocery retail environment. METHODS: A sample of fresh and pre-packaged products was identified on eight leading grocery retail websites in Canada, to assess the availability and quality of food labelling components. RESULTS: Out of 555 product searches, all products were accompanied by product images with front-of-pack images more readily available (96.0%) than back-of-pack (12.4%) and other side panel images (3.1%). The following mandatory nutrition information was available for 61.1% of the products: nutrition facts table (68.8%), ingredient (73.9%), and allergen (53.8%) information. The majority of the nutrition information was available after scrolling down, clicking additionally on the description page, or viewing only as an image. Date markings were not available; packaging material information was available for 2.0% of the products. CONCLUSIONS: There was wide variability and inconsistencies in the presentation of food labelling components in the e-grocery retail environment, which can be barriers in enabling Canadians to make informed purchasing decisions.

Connectivity and Bandwidth: Key Areas for Improving Public Health

For efficient and effective implementation of technology in the public health agenda, connectivity and bandwidth are critical for success both globally and in the Region of the Americas. Digital connectivity for all can enrich health service delivery, improve the quality of service and patient safety, and increase the efficiency and coordination of care. Through digital solutions, governments and health-related institutions can expand the possibility of individuals to playing an active role in maintaining their own health and well-being. Geared to non-technical readers, this short publication explores why connectivity and bandwidth should be priorities in public health. Through intentionally brief sections, it illustrates the potential of connectivity and bandwidth for improving the sustainable flow of services to meet supply and demand requirements in public health. However, it also warns that they could exacerbate existing inequities and even give rise to new ones. It notes that already vulnerable populations and sections of society suffer more from a lack of connectivity. Thus, also in the field of technological and digital transformation, the approach must leave no one behind. The publication highlights this as a great challenge for public health policies across the Americas, which must solidify the promise of digital transformation to reduce disparities in health, social, economic, and digital capital among people in the Region. The publication discusses various questions, such as what digital connectivity means and whether the Region is ready for the age of digital interdependence. It also shows how the issues relate to the Information Systems for Health Initiative, and to the Eight Principles for Digital Transformation of Public Health launched by the Pan American Health Organization in February 2021.

Accessibility of Telehealth Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Medicare Beneficiaries.

INTRODUCTION: Telehealth plays a role in the continuum of care, especially for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our objective was to examine factors associated with the accessibility of telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic among older adults. METHODS: We analyzed the nationally representative Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey COVID-19 Rapid Response Supplement Questionnaire of beneficiaries aged 65 years or older. Two weighted multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine associations between usual providers who offered telehealth 1) during the COVID-19 pandemic and 2) to replace a regularly scheduled appointment. We examined factors including sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, and digital access and literacy. RESULTS: Of the beneficiaries (n = 6,172, weighted n = 32.4 million), 81.2% reported that their usual providers offered telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among those offered telehealth services, 56.8% reported that their usual providers offered telehealth to replace a regularly scheduled appointment. Disparities in accessibility of telehealth services by sex, residing area (metropolitan vs nonmetropolitan), income level, and US Census region were observed. Beneficiaries who reported having internet access (vs no access) (OR, 1.75, P < .001) and who reported ever having participated in video, voice, or conference calls over the internet before (vs not) (OR, 2.18, P < .001) were more likely to report having access to telehealth. Non-Hispanic Black beneficiaries (versus White) (OR, 1.57, P = .007) and beneficiaries with comorbidities (vs none) (eg, 2 or 3 comorbidities, OR, 1.25, 95% P = .044) were more likely to have their usual provider offer telehealth to replace a regularly scheduled appointment. CONCLUSION: Although accessibility of telehealth has increased, inequities raise concern. Educational outreach and training, such as installing and launching an online web conferencing platform, should be considered for improving accessibility of telehealth to vulnerable populations beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Disparities in Technology and Broadband Internet Access Across Rurality: Implications for Health and Education.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, interest in using telehealth to increase access to health and mental health care has grown, and school transitions to remote learning have heightened awareness of broadband inequities. The purpose of this study was to examine access and barriers to technology and broadband Internet service ("broadband") among rural and urban youth. Washington State public school districts were surveyed about youth's access to technology (ie, a device adequate for online learning) and broadband availability in spring 2020. Availability of and barriers to broadband (ie, geography, affordability, and smartphone-only connectivity) were assessed across rurality. Among responding districts, 64.2% (n = 172) were rural and 35.8% (n = 96) were urban. Rural districts reported significantly fewer students with access to an Internet-enabled device adequate for online learning (80.0% vs 90.1%, P < .01). Access to reliable broadband varied significantly across geography (P < .01). Compared with their urban peers, rural youth face more challenges in accessing the technology and connectivity needed for remote learning and telehealth. Given that inadequate broadband infrastructure is a critical barrier to the provision of telehealth services and remote learning in rural areas, efforts to improve policies and advance technology must consider geographical disparities to ensure health and education equity.

Limited Technology Access Among Residents of Affordable Senior Housing During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

While U.S. adults living in affordable senior housing represent a vulnerable population during the COVID-19 pandemic, affordable housing may provide a foundation for interventions designed to improve technology access to support health. To better understand technology access among residents of affordable senior housing, we surveyed members of a national association of resident service coordinators to assess their experiences working with residents during the pandemic (n = 1,440). While nearly all service coordinators report that most or all residents have reliable phone access, under a quarter report that most or all have reliable internet access; they also report limited access to technology for video calls. Lack of internet access and technology literacy are perceived as barriers to medical visits and food procurement for low-income older adult residents of affordable housing. Policies to expand internet access as well as training and support to enable use of online services are required to overcome these barriers.

Telemedicine in Peru as a Result of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspective from a Country with Limited Internet Access.

The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the worldwide implementation of telemedicine because of the need for medical care for patients, especially those with chronic diseases. This perspective paper presents the current situation of telemedicine in Peru, showing advances in regulation, cases of successful implementation, and the current challenges. Access to health should be available to all, and more efforts need to be implemented to offer access to the internet to achieve high-quality telemedicine to all the vulnerable groups in Peru.

Can the income level of rural residents be improved by the Chinese "Broadband Village?": Evidence from a regression discontinuity design of the six pilot provinces.

The "Broadband Village" (B&V) initiative is a substantial investment in internet construction in rural areas in six western provinces implemented by the Chinese government since 2014. This study evaluates the effect this policy has had. Panel data of 1,049 counties in China from 2015 to 2019 are used for the regression discontinuity design (RD) to estimate the impact of B&V on the improvement of the income level of rural residents. The results show that, compared to the counties without the B&V policy, the income of rural residents in counties with B&V has increased by 1.468-1.518 times, which is nearly 1.3 times the sample mean of survey data, indicating that the income level of rural residents has been improved significantly by B&V. However, the quantile regression results show that the higher the income level of rural residents, the smaller the effect of this policy. From the dynamic effect of years, the influence curve of B&V on rural residents' income is an inverted U-shaped, first increasing and then decreasing, and the impact of this policy on the income level of highly-educated farmers is greater. Finally, three different methods are used to verify the robustness of the model.