Peer Response – Recognizing Broadband Internet Access as a Social Determinant of Health

Peer Response – Recognizing Broadband Internet Access as a Social Determinant of Health

Peer Response 1

Hello,

Thank you for your contribution to the discussion. I agree with your well-clarified and supported argument. Indeed, digital inclusion and broadband access can be considered key social determinants of health (SDOH). In this current digital time and age, access to technology and high-speed internet are essential in healthcare for a number of reasons. Firstly, as you have noted, internet-enabled technologies such as websites, hospital portals, or telehealth support access to first-hand health information from professionals regardless of their geographical location. Access to healthcare information determines population behaviors during public health emergencies (Benda et al., 2020). Such access to health information helps individuals best understand their conditions, know how to protect themselves or care for those affected, and improve overall care outcomes (Kushniruk, 2019). The role of digital inclusion and broadband access in access to health information, thus, makes it a key social determinant of health.

References

Benda, N. C., Veinot, T. C., Sieck, C. J., & Ancker, J. S. (2020). Broadband internet access is a social determinant of health! American Journal of Public Health, 110(8), 1123–1125. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2020.305784

Kushniruk, A. (2019). The importance of health information on the internet: How it can save your life. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21(10), e16690. https://doi.org/10.2196/16690

Peer Response 2

Hello,

Thank you for your informative post. I agree with your argument on why broadband internet access needs to be recognized as a social determinant of health (SDOH). You have provided sufficient support for your argument, including citing sources providing empirical evidence on the role of technology and broadband internet access in influencing and determining health. Of noteworthy from your argument is that broadband internet access should not only be recognized as SDOH due to the convenience it provides in care delivery and access, such as in the case of telehealth (Gajarawala & Pelkowski, 2021), but also due to its ability to improve access to information and related communications. Internet-based tools have effectively been used to provide support, including health information, to informal caregivers and create a sense of social inclusion and belonging (Newman et al., 2019). Thus, as argued, access to broadband internet is a key SODH as it improves the accessibility of healthcare information and services and helps create online communities that can promote good health, including helping manage mental health issues.

References

Gajarawala, S. N., & Pelkowski, J. N. (2021). Telehealth Benefits and Barriers. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 17(2), 218–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.NURPRA.2020.09.013

Newman, K., Wang, A. H., Wang, A. Z. Y., & Hanna, D. (2019). The role of internet-based digital tools in reducing social isolation and addressing support needs among informal caregivers: A scoping review. BMC Public Health, 19(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/S12889-019-7837-3/TABLES/1

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022), “Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the nonmedical factors that influence health outcomes. They are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life… SDOH is one of three priority areas for Healthy People 2030, along with health equity and health literacy. Healthy People 2030 sets data-driven national objectives in five key areas of SDOH: healthcare access and quality, education access and quality, social and community context, economic stability, and neighborhood and built environment. Some examples of SDOH included in Healthy People 2030 are safe housing, transportation, and neighborhoods; polluted air and water; and access to nutritious foods and physical health opportunities”.

https://www.cdc.gov/about/sdoh/index.htmlLinks to an external site.

RESOURCES

Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.

WEEKLY RESOURCES

To Prepare:

Reflect on the concept of social determinants of health as presented in the resources.
Contemplate whether digital inclusion or broadband access should be added to the 5 key areas of social determinants of health.
Using the optional outside resources or other peer-reviewed journal articles, consider how electronic health records, mobile health, patient portals, or telemedicine can impact and be impacted by the social determinants of health.
BY DAY 3 OF WEEK 9
Post a description of your views on whether or not digital inclusion or broadband access should be added as a key area to the social determinants of health. Be specific and provide examples that support your position. Explain how electronic health records, mobile health, patient portals, or telemedicine can impact and be impacted by the social determinants of health. Support your explanation with the required or optional resources.

BY DAY 6 OF WEEK 9
Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days using one or more of the following approaches:

Respond to a colleague whose views differed from yours on whether digital inclusion of broadband access should be added as a key area to the social determinants of health. Expand on your colleagues’ postings by providing additional insights or contrasting perspectives based on the readings.