Disparities Common in Telehealth Use Among Pediatric CHIP Patients

mHealth Intelligence: Disparities Common in Telehealth Use Among Pediatric CHIP Patients

According to data from Alabama’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), ALL Kids, researchers found that telehealth use was less common among those living in rural areas and members of lower-income families. Researchers also noted that children living in large or small rural areas were less likely to use telehealth, with 11.8 and 11.1 percent of each population having used virtual care services, respectively. The digital divide and the limited availability of resources likely played a role in creating care gaps. Researchers acknowledged that as the presence of telehealth continues to grow, it is essential to continue to increase accessibility and eliminate disparities.