BROADBAND ACCESS, SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS, AND SELF-REPORTED HEALTH IN A RURAL COMMUNITY SAMPLE OF OLDER ADULTS

Tim Killian, Betsy Garrison · 2023 · Innovation in Aging

Summary. Internet access improves self-reported health among older rural adults by strengthening social connections. The study surveyed 450 people aged 50+ in rural Arkansas during COVID-19 lockdowns and found that broadband access directly increased social connectedness, which in turn improved health outcomes. This relationship held even after accounting for income differences, suggesting that stable broadband infrastructure supports rural aging populations.

Read the original

Cite this article

Killian, T., & Garrison, B.. (2023). BROADBAND ACCESS, SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS, AND SELF-REPORTED HEALTH IN A RURAL COMMUNITY SAMPLE OF OLDER ADULTS. Innovation in Aging. https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igad104.2185

@article{killian-2023-broadband-access-social-connectedness-self,
  title   = {BROADBAND ACCESS, SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS, AND SELF-REPORTED HEALTH IN A RURAL COMMUNITY SAMPLE OF OLDER ADULTS},
  author  = {Tim Killian and Betsy Garrison},
  journal = {Innovation in Aging},
  year    = {2023},
  doi     = {10.1093/geroni/igad104.2185},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igad104.2185}
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - BROADBAND ACCESS, SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS, AND SELF-REPORTED HEALTH IN A RURAL COMMUNITY SAMPLE OF OLDER ADULTS
AU  - Tim Killian
AU  - Betsy Garrison
JO  - Innovation in Aging
PY  - 2023
DO  - 10.1093/geroni/igad104.2185
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igad104.2185
ER  -

Details

DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igad104.2185
Countries: United States
Regions: North America
Categories: broadband-and-digital, rural-healthcare, general-innovation
Added: 2026-06-01