Rural Healthcare

How are folks who live in rural communities getting healthcare? What are their barriers?

Folks living in rural communities face significant challenges in accessing healthcare due to factors like poverty, lower educational attainment, limited transportation, and a lack of healthcare services. They often have to travel long distances to access healthcare services, particularly subspecialist services. This can be a significant burden in terms of travel time, cost, and time away from the workplace. And unlike some urban areas with public transit systems, the lack of reliable transportation is a barrier to care in these areas.

Which digital health companies are solving community or rural healthcare problems? 

Several digital health companies are addressing the unique challenges faced by rural healthcare systems, particularly through collaboration and innovative technology. One notable example is the partnership between Microsoft and Nordic, which launched the Rural Health IT Community. This initiative aims to provide foundational cybersecurity solutions to protect rural hospitals from cyber threats, which are a significant concern due to limited IT resources. Additionally, companies like Nordic are leveraging AI-driven tools to assist rural healthcare workers with tasks like clinical documentation and administrative duties, helping to optimize limited human resources.

What is the market size of rural healthcare? 

The rural clinical and healthcare logistics market is forecast to grow by USD 2.26 billion between 2023 and 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.84%. This growth is driven by factors such as an aging population, increasing chronic diseases, and the introduction of new pharmaceutical products. The market's expansion is further supported by innovations in healthcare logistics and the need for better access to healthcare in rural areas. However, given the housing affordability crisis and the exodus of millennials from large urban areas to rural areas, we think this is a growing market that is currently undervalued.

What infrastructural opportunities can digital health companies solve for?

Digital health companies can address key infrastructural challenges by fostering collaboration among stakeholders, like healthcare workers, to tackle gaps in training and infrastructure. They can also ensure proper evaluation of digital tools, particularly in areas like mental health, oncology, and tuberculosis, to confirm their effectiveness.  By partnering with tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and Facebook, digital health companies can co-invest in infrastructure to enhance connectivity, which is vital for supporting digital health platforms. In regions where data protection regulations are lacking, companies can collaborate to establish stronger privacy and security standards, helping protect sensitive health information and build trust in digital health solutions.