Today, we’re joined by Chris Charlton, the Broadband Director at the Institute for Digital Health and Innovation (IDHI) at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). IDHI is dedicated to leveraging digital technology to address healthcare and broadband access gaps in rural areas. Chris will discuss IDHI’s partnerships with organizations like the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, and Arkansas Rural Connect (ARC), focusing on their collective efforts to bridge the digital divide and enhance healthcare access in rural Arkansas. Let’s look at how these collaborations are making a difference at the healthcare-broadband intersection.
Thanks for being here, Chris. Let’s talk about how IDHI collaborates with HRSA, BEAD, and ARC.
IDHI uses digital tech to tackle healthcare and broadband disparities in Arkansas. HRSA and BEAD play crucial roles in doing that.
HRSA, under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, focuses on improving healthcare access for vulnerable groups. It supports clinics, health programs, and professional training, funded through federal appropriations.
BEAD, part of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) within the Department of Commerce, aims to expand high-speed internet, especially in underserved areas. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, it’s geared toward broadband infrastructure development.
While HRSA and BEAD share objectives, they’re funded and managed differently by distinct federal departments.
Can you explain how BEAD and HRSA align?
Despite being separate entities, BEAD and HRSA complement each other’s goals. BEAD focuses on broadband infrastructure, while HRSA concentrates on health services. BEAD’s broadband expansion directly aids HRSA’s objectives, especially in telehealth. It allows remote patients access to specialist consultations and mental health services without extensive travel. Broadband growth also supports health information technology (HIT), improving care quality and efficiency in HRSA-backed facilities. For education, better internet access enables online training for healthcare workers in underserved areas, helping them stay updated with medical practices. Enhanced connectivity aids public health initiatives, facilitating data collection, tele-public health, and real-time communication during emergencies. It also boosts patient engagement through access to online records and tools for managing chronic conditions. Essentially, BEAD’s infrastructure improvements indirectly enhance HRSA’s mission, fostering a more equitable healthcare system for all, regardless of location.
What is Arkansas Rural Connect (ARC), and how does it intersect with UAMS?
Arkansas Rural Connect (ARC) is a program by the Arkansas Department of Commerce, aimed at bringing high-speed broadband to rural areas. Meanwhile, UAMS focuses on healthcare. Their synergy lies in telehealth and digital health efforts. ARC funds broadband expansion, indirectly aiding UAMS in extending telehealth services. This collaboration enhances telehealth, education, research, and public health initiatives, improving healthcare access for rural Arkansans.
ARC’s mission aligns with UAMS’s goals of extending healthcare services to underserved regions. By providing broadband infrastructure, ARC enables UAMS to reach remote areas with telehealth services, overcoming geographical barriers. This means rural residents can access specialist consultations, mental health services, and routine healthcare without extensive travel.
Improved broadband access facilitates online training and education programs for healthcare professionals in rural areas. UAMS can offer continuous professional development, addressing workforce shortages and ensuring quality care delivery.
Additionally, enhanced internet connectivity supports UAMS’s research initiatives by enabling efficient data collection and analysis from rural populations. This data informs public health strategies and healthcare services planning, benefiting both rural communities and the broader healthcare system.
Lastly, fast and reliable internet access allows UAMS to disseminate health information effectively to rural populations. This includes preventive health measures, disease outbreak updates, and health education resources, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health.
The collaboration between ARC and UAMS leverages broadband infrastructure to enhance healthcare access and outcomes in rural Arkansas which addresses health disparities and improves the well-being of residents.
Can you explain how this all started for UAMS?
In August of 2010, UAMS received a grant for 102 million to provide equipment and dedicated circuits to healthcare providers and the Arkansas Department of Health. This began the Institutes drive into broadband expansion in Arkansas. In 2020, IDHI was recruited by the Arkansas Governor’s Office to design and operate a program for broadband grants to ISPs, called the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), for the expansion of broadband as driven by the pandemic. The project is still functioning today and growing each year until each household is served.
Thank you, Chris, for sharing your insights today. Before we wrap up, any final thoughts?
While ARC focuses on broadband and UAMS on healthcare, ARC’s efforts in rural internet access are vital for expanding UAMS’s telehealth and education outreach. This collaboration addresses rural communities’ challenges comprehensively. Since 2020, UAMS – IDHI has managed the ARC Project, allocating over $555 million to ISPs for broadband expansion, greatly impacting Arkansans’ access to essential services.
