When people can access the internet, the health benefits are endless. From telehealth appointments, to informational health sites, to nutrition tracking apps, and FaceTime (which can decrease isolation by helping folks stay connected with loved ones), there are innumerable health-related tools on the internet.
Health + Digital Inclusion in South Texas
Recognizing the health benefits of expanding digital equity in Texas, Methodist Healthcare Ministries (MHM) committed over $21 million over three years to a landmark effort.
Spearheaded by CTN, this plan will:
- Train 10 staff and volunteers from 30 organizations to prepare them to launch a digital equity improve their already-existing one
- Provide curriculum (available in multiple languages) to each of the 30 participating organizations so that they can use it to teach their technology courses
- Give 25 devices, for a total of 750 devices, plus additional tools and resources, to all of the partner agencies
- Deploy 5 digital navigators who will assist community members on the ground with their day-to-day questions related to internet adoption, devices, and basic technology skills.
Healthcare Spotlight: Mary
At age 64, while undergoing chemotherapy, Mary S. found herself confined to her home, searching for ways to stay engaged and productive. It was at this time that she began learning technology with CTN. She says:
“Learning digital skills has kept my mind occupied, which helps me avoid dwelling on health issues…[It’s] also made managing daily tasks much more convenient. Whether it’s scheduling doctor’s appointments or communicating with healthcare providers, having everything on my iPad has reduced my stress. I no longer feel as reliant on others, and it’s empowering to know that I can manage things on my own.”
Digital Equity + Healthcare Online Course
If you work in a healthcare profession and are interested in understanding digital equity’s impact on health, along with digitally-inclusive patient care practices and tools for health management, enroll today with the click of a button in our online course, Health Equity in a Digital World.
Complete the course on your own time and receive a certificate of achievement upon completion.
- Lunch & Learn Webinar: Join us on July 25 at 11am PT as we discuss social anxieties (including those related to neurodivergence, anxiety, and depression) in the workplace, with a special focus on digital inclusion efforts. Click here to register! (If you missed last month’s webinar, Mental Health Matters, you can watch the recording here.)
- Capacity-Building Info Session: If you’re interested in launching a digital equity initiative and want personalized advice from our team of experts, join our upcoming info session on July 1 at 10:00 am PT to learn about our offerings (plus funding opportunities in your region!) You can register for the info session here.
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