Assessment of the Digital Divide: Barrier to Health Communication Dissemination

In 1984 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that while there is progress in improving the overall health of the general public, there is evidence of significant disparities in the overall health of selected racial minority groups. Empirical evidence supports that socioenvironment is a primary determinant of individual health outcomes and is a factor in the health outcomes for these targeted groups. Subsequent epidemiologic studies link access and substandard health care as prevalent in poor and minority communities. Federal, philanthropic, and advocacy organizations responded by organizing to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in the U.S. One tool that has gained widespread attention is the expansion of the Internet as a tool for communication of health information to improve overall health outcomes. Research shows that characteristically, groups experiencing the greatest health care disparities are the same as those without access to computers and Internet services. Projects to reduce this trend are currently being piloted and are showing progress in confronting this problem.Master of Public Healt