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KFF Health News has published a report called "Dead Zone: Millions in U.S. Live in Places Where Doctors Don't Practice and Telehealth Doesn't Reach." It's an intriguing look at communities and counties where residents tend to have more health problems, fewer health professionals and insufficient access to broadband internet.
Southeast Ohio has a significant number of these counties.
"Compared with those in other regions, patients across the rural South, Appalachia, and remote West are most often unable to make a video call to their doctor or log into their patient portals," according to the report.
The challenges are so great that seven Ohio counties -- Carroll, Monroe, Noble, Morgan, Meigs, Vinton and Pike -- meet the definition of a "dead zone:" inadequate broadband service in addition to being Medicaid primary care and behavioral health deserts.
Given that much progress must be made, we must hope the "rigorous review" of planned broadband spending preserves money meant for projects in southeast Ohio and the rest of Appalachia. Lives truly depend on it.