Santa J. Ono, Ph.D. President at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | LinkedIn
Santa J. Ono, Ph.D. President at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | LinkedIn
The University of Michigan has released a study indicating that high-speed internet access played a significant role in reducing COVID-19 mortality rates during the early months of the pandemic. According to the research, U.S. counties with greater broadband connectivity experienced approximately 50% fewer deaths from COVID-19 compared to those with lower internet access during the summer and early fall of 2020.
The study, published in SSM-Population Health, revealed that counties with better internet access reported 48%-53% fewer new COVID-19 deaths and 19%-34% fewer new cases per 100,000 residents than counties with limited access. It also noted that residents in these areas showed slightly higher mask-wearing compliance and reported fewer new cases between July and October 2020.
“I was struck by the magnitude of the difference that internet access made in reducing rates of COVID-19 cases and deaths,” said Spencer Allen, a doctoral student at U-M and author of the study. He emphasized this is one of the first studies focusing on how internet access influenced pandemic outcomes in its early stages.
The findings contribute to growing evidence supporting broadband as a crucial "social determinant of health," especially during public health emergencies. In 2020, high-speed internet provided vital information about protective measures such as masking and social distancing while enabling remote work, education, telehealth services, and maintaining social connections.
“Like many Americans, I first learned about COVID-19 and how to protect myself from the virus online,” Allen mentioned. However, he acknowledged not everyone had equal access to this resource, which prompted him to investigate whether areas with higher connectivity fared better against the virus.
Allen’s research highlights disparities in internet availability across different regions in the U.S., noting nearly 20% of adults lacked broadband service in 2020—rural and low-income areas being most affected. These gaps resulted in unequal health outcomes during the pandemic.
“Internet access is not a commodity: It is a lifesaving resource that can help people access information about health conditions,” Allen stated. He expressed concern over recent political developments affecting federal efforts to improve connectivity through programs like Broadband Equity Access Deployment Program and Digital Equity Act.
A recent ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit limits the Federal Communications Commission's ability to enforce net neutrality nationwide—a principle ensuring equal speed for all websites without additional charges for specific services.
“While my research suggests that internet access can be beneficial for health in the pandemic," Allen continued, "just having an internet connection means very little if someone can’t access the entire internet.” He urged Congress to legislate guaranteed free and equal web accessibility for all Americans.
Allen aims further investigation into whether this link between broadband availability extends beyond pandemics using pre-COVID U.S mortality data: “I want to determine whether this connection has existed over longer periods.”