The Connect2HealthFCC Task Force’s Mapping Broadband Health in America 2024 allows users to visualize, overlay, intersect, and analyze broadband and health data at the national, state and county levels – enabling users to ask and answer questions about both broadband and health and to leverage a shared platform that can provide relevant data and help drive meaningful broadband and health policies and solutions. First launched in 2016, the platform has demonstrated the value proposition of broadband in health.
The 2024 release expands the available broadband connectivity data to permit more robust visualizations; introduces new maternal health, opioids, chronic disease, and social determinants of health metrics which underlie many of the public health crises facing the nation; and reimagines user interface and functionality.
For additional detail, read the Public Notice, visit the FAQs, and explore the data and methodology.
See What the 2024 Platform Can Do
In October 2024, the Task Force previewed the 2024 mapping platform during the Open Commission Meeting and provided a status report on the connected health landscape. The presentation included a live demonstration of the platform, including several use cases for how policymakers and other stakeholders can leverage the platform to inform data-driven decision making.
Sample Maps
Rural Fixed Broadband and Maternity Care Deserts
Explore the rural fixed broadband picture in maternity care deserts. According to the March of Dimes, more than 2.3 million women of childbearing age live in "maternity care deserts"—areas where there are no hospitals or birth centers offering obstetric care and no obstetric providers—and an additional 3 million women live in counties with limited access to maternity care.
View the Sample Map
Internet Adoption and Preterm Birth
Explore how the digital divide in maternal health intersects with preterm birth rates, revealing regional disparities that could impact maternal care.
View the Sample Map
Broadband Access in High Diabetes Areas
Explore how broadband access intersects with above average diabetes rates, identifying areas where fixed and mobile connections can support continuous monitoring and remote care.
View the Sample Map
Internet Adoption and Preterm Birth
Explore how opioid use disorder prevalence intersects with below-average internet adoption, revealing target areas where broadband could support remote treatment.
View the Sample Map
Potential Benefits and Uses
Mapping Broadband Health in America maps can be used by both public and private sectors, and local communities to identify opportunities and gaps in connected care.
- The maps can help tailor investment and public-private partnerships.
- The maps can be a valuable tool for highlighting areas that might require special attention. They can help stakeholders identify the types of collaborations – public/private, network/applications, and outreach/education – that may be needed to improve connectivity and health.
- For the FCC and other government agencies, the maps can be used to characterize regions, patterns, and gaps to inform policy, regulatory actions, or reforms.
- For the private sector, the maps can identify areas where entrepreneurial opportunities for enabling consumer health through broadband exist now.
- Local communities may find the maps helpful as they allocate resources and focus efforts on leveraging broadband connectivity for health.
- Over time and with periodic data updates, the maps could also be used to assess continued progress in the connected health space.
For Developers
Mapping Broadband Health in America
- Download Nationwide Data: JSON | XML| CSV
- Download All States: JSON | XML| CSV
- Download All Counties: JSON | XML | CSV
Provide Feedback
The Task Force welcomes suggestions and feedback as it continues to enhance and update the mapping platform, including additional data sets and variables for potential inclusion; other functionalities of interest; specific use cases where the platform can inform initiatives; and other information or recommendations of interest to broadband and health stakeholders. Interested parties may submit comments and suggestions via e-mail to engageC2H@fcc.gov, with “Mapping” in the subject line; more formal comments may be filed via the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System in GN Docket No. 23-309.