The Digital Divide In Behavioral Health

September 2, 2025 | CSB of Middle Georgia

The digital divide is more than just a gap in technology—it is a barrier to care. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), nearly 14.5 million Americans lack access to high-speed internet, with rural and low-income communities most affected (Federal Communications Commission [FCC], 2021). For behavioral health providers, this gap presents serious challenges to equity, access, and outcomes.

Research shows that individuals without reliable internet are less likely to attend telehealth appointments, refill prescriptions, or participate in virtual peer support groups (Nouri et al., 2020). This gap disproportionately impacts older adults, rural residents, and those with limited income—all populations with higher rates of chronic health conditions and mental health challenges.

At CSBMG, digital access is an important option for behavioral health and crisis services across our 16-county region making bridging the divide requires creative strategies—offering in-office telehealth access points, collaborating with schools, and infrastructure investments.

The question for health plans and provider organizations is not whether telehealth is effective (the evidence is overwhelming) but how to ensure no one is excluded because of connectivity issues. Closing the digital divide is more than a technical issue—it is a matter of health equity.

References

Federal Communications Commission. (2021). 2021 Broadband deployment report. https://www.fcc.gov/reports-research/reports/broadband-progress-reports/2021-broadband-deployment-report

Nouri, S., Khoong, E. C., Lyles, C. R., & Karliner, L. (2020). Addressing equity in telemedicine for chronic disease management during the COVID-19 pandemic. NEJM Catalyst Innovations in Care Delivery, 1(3), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1056/CAT.20.0123