Digital Divide Stalls Black Community’s Telehealth Access

The history of telehealth goes back to the 1870s when telephone was invented. However, the concept started gaining wide acceptance in the 1990s with the expansion of the Internet. In April 2025, China launched the world’s first 10G broadband network in Sunan County, Hebei Province, a milestone that opens a world of opportunities in telehealth. For example, in 2023, Telecom Italia (TIM) used a 5G connection to successfully complete remote corneal surgery at the Bari Polyclinic in Italy.

Professor Gianni Alessio, at that time, remotely guided a laser from his management office to operate on a patient physically present in the operating room. Imagine how more complex remote medical interventions can be achieved with 10G Internet.

For most people in Black communities around the globe, a fast and steady 4G Internet connection still feels like a luxury. The severity of the Internet access gap became evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when people were mandated to work and take classes remotely. We discovered Black families did not have access to the internet, outside of their cell phones.

For example, the Internet usage in Nigeria—the country with the largest population of Black communities—as of 2022 was estimated to be around 35.5% of the population, a far cry from the 97.1% and 94.0% recorded in the United States and Canada, respectively, within the same period. According to a This Day report, 4G usage in Nigeria only surpassed 2G by the end of 2024. These are not mere numbers. They are missed opportunities for Black families around the world to get better healthcare access.

How the Internet is improving healthcare

The Internet has improved access to online health resources, therapy, and school health services. With millions of free online resources, the Black community is empowered to be more informed about their health and live healthier in their senior years. However, many Black communities are missing out on the benefits of telemedicine due to poor Internet access.

Many years ago, patients must drive to healthcare facilities to book an appointment with a physician. The entire process was both physically and financially demanding, especially for low-earning Black patients working in environments without paid leave. With the power of the Internet, patients can book appointments with physicians to get evaluated. Only serious cases involving physical examination or surgery will necessitate hospital visit. This saves time and money.

Private virtual mental health therapies

Using dedicated apps, patients suffering from mental health challenges can connect with licensed therapist and have all their sessions online. In our community where there is still stigma around mental health, telehealth eases the anxiety that patients may feel about visiting a brick-and-mortar facility for fear that someone may see them and spread the word.

Enhances personalized care

Digital tools like smartwatches and rings makes remote monitoring easier, particularly for patients in remote areas who don’t have easy access to healthcare facilities. These devices can send the patient’s vitals back to the healthcare provider in real-time. Remote monitoring help physicians track the efficacy of the patient’s treatment plan. This can greatly lower treatment costs for the patient.

Shortfall in healthcare access in Black communities

In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised an alarm that there was a serious shortage of health workers in Africa, which they said undermined access to and provision of health services in the region. WHO has a threshold density of 4.45 health workers per 1000 people. Only four African countries (Mauritius, Namibia, Seychelles, and South Africa) surpassed that ratio.

The shortfall in healthcare professionals in Africa is mostly blamed on oversea migration for greener pasture. Rapid population growth and limited training capacity has also put a strain on Africa’s healthcare system. Although telemedicine could help in bridging the gap by giving Black families access to a global pool of healthcare professionals, Internet access and speed remains a huge roadblock to this possibility. In one oncology study, a greater proportion of Black participants self-reported a lack of internet access and access to a patient portal compared to white participants.

In the United States, the problem is more associated with uneven access. Most healthcare facilities are located far away from Black communities. Other factors that make healthcare inaccessible to the Black community in the United States include disparities in health insurance coverage and economic disadvantages.

While telemedicine can potentially improve healthcare access, equitable implementation is at the heart of its success. Policies that increase investment in digital literacy, improve Internet penetration, and partner with community organizations will not only bridge the digital literacy gap but also improve access to healthcare in disadvantaged communities.

For More Reading