Access to internet in rural and remote Canada

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Rural Health
• Indigenous Health

Background:

• Canada, the world's second-largest country by landmass, has a low population density, with 19% of its population residing in rural or remote areas as of 2011.
• The digital divide persists, impacting access to essential services and information for specific demographics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate disparities in internet and device access between rural and urban populations in Canada.
• To explore differences in broadband accessibility for Aboriginal versus non-Aboriginal communities across Canada.

Main Methods:

• The study analyzed internet access and device usage patterns across different Canadian communities.
• A comparative approach was used to examine broadband availability in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal regions.

Main Results:

• Rural residents generally exhibited lower rates of internet access compared to their urban counterparts.
• Despite initiatives to expand high-speed internet, certain Aboriginal communities continue to experience restricted access.

Conclusions:

• Significant disparities in digital access exist between rural and urban, and between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities in Canada.
• Further research is recommended to understand the implications of computer and health literacy within these underserved populations.