1/27/21OATS, in Partnership with the
Humana Foundation, Launches Unprecedented Effort to Bring Internet to One
Million Older Adults by 2022 U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Among National
Leaders Calling for Action to Expand Broadband
NEW
YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Older Adults Technology Services, Inc. (OATS), in
partnership with the Humana Foundation, today released a new report that for
the first time quantifies the size and degree of the digital isolation crisis
among seniors in the United States, finding nearly 22 million older Americans
continue to lack broadband access at home. Stressing the importance of digital
health tools and social connectedness amid the coronavirus pandemic, OATS and
The Humana Foundation are launching a new effort to close the technology
adoption gap through Aging
Connectedopens new window–a nationalcampaign to bring at least a million
older Americans online with high-speed internet by 2022.
This
press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210127005243/en/opens new window
The
report – Aging
Connected: Exposing the Hidden Connectivity Crisis for Older Adultsopens new window – commissioned new research by two
leading academics on the digital technology gap: John Horrigan from The
Technology Policy Institute and Erin York Cornwell from Cornell University.
Drawing on this new analysis, as well as more than 15 years of applied learning
at OATS, the report presents a detailed portrait of digitally disconnected
older adults in America, touching on how many people remain offline, which
demographics are disproportionately affected, and more.
“America’s
older population is facing a public health crisis as the digital divide
restricts their ability to stay healthy, meaningfully engaged, and financially
secure amid the pandemic and beyond,” said Thomas Kamber, executive director of
Older Adults Technology Services. “This new research shows that America is
failing to close the digital gap for older adults, who more than ever need the
tools to be connected and engaged online. Through our nationwide Aging
Connected initiative, OATS looks forward to working with nonprofit
organizations, corporate partners, and government policymakers to close the
technology gap and expand affordable, quality broadband opportunities for
America’s seniors.”
“The
data is clear: Older adults have been falling increasingly behind in digital
connectivity, which negatively affects their overall health and well-being,”
said U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). “OATS’ new Aging Connected
campaign is playing a critical role in bringing together public and private
stakeholders to make sure American seniors can continue thriving – especially
during a pandemic that has kept so many stuck at home. We need lawmakers in
Washington and across statehouses to act to increase affordable access to
broadband services and help millions of seniors stay engaged online.”
Key
findings from the study include:
·
Nearly 22 million American seniors do not have wireline
broadband access at home, representing 42 percent of the nation’s over-65
population.
·
More than 80% of COVID
deaths in the U.S. have been older Americans. OATS estimates that
approximately 40% of them were unable to access needed
online resources from home during the pandemic.
·
Technology
is exacerbating social divisions and inequalities. OATS’ research found disturbing correlations
between digital disengagement and race, disability, health status, educational
attainment, immigration, rural residence, and income.
·
A
review of existing digital inclusion efforts targeting seniors found a hodgepodge
of offerings, with large sections of the country served by no significant
low-cost offerings or age-friendly initiatives. The programs that do exist are virtually all
sponsored by telecommunications companies in collaboration with nonprofit
partners, with no direct public sector support.
·
Poor broadband not
only limits access to essential public health information, social services, and
digital healthcare services like telehealth and apps that manage chronic
conditions, but it can also lead to risk of social isolation,
which has been linked to negative health outcomes, reduced quality of life and
premature death.
·
Evidence shows
that public-private partnerships can not only increase connectivity
access, but also produce positive
social outcomes as a result of increased digital engagement.
Based
on the findings in the report, OATS and the Humana Foundation will work through
their joint Aging Connectedinitiative to bridge the connectivity gap for older Americans
through a four-pronged approach:
1.
Publicize
and clearly articulate the value of broadband to seniors. Many seniors do not connect to broadband even
when they have affordable access because they do not see or understand the
value or are intimidated by the perceived complexity of getting online.
Marketing and publicity efforts must address both low-cost and market-rate
options to reach diverse audiences of offline seniors.
2.
Prioritize
social equity and inclusion. OATS’ research highlights the socio-economic and geographic
disparities that intersect with issues of connectivity among older adults.
Geographies with comparatively high age-based disparities or high
concentrations of poverty and underserved demographics should be prioritized
for action. Policymakers and stakeholders must be made aware that digital inclusion
is a social equity issue.
3.
Expand
access to low-cost offers. The wide disparity in programs and coverage for affordable
broadband should be corrected. Aging Connected urges telecom providers, in
partnership with nonprofit supporters, to embrace the best practices around
affordability and extend these programs to serve meaningful numbers of older
adults, including veterans, lower-income and disabled seniors, and enrollees in
major social service programs.
4.
Develop
content, communities and experience for older adults to increase utilization of
broadband services. Aging
Connected proposes investing in and extending targeted content and communities
that make older adults feel at home online, with a special emphasis on high
value topics such as digital health, social engagement, and financial security.
Through Aging Connected, OATS is coordinating the efforts of
telecommunications companies, nonprofit senior service providers, and public
sector agencies to help seniors maximize the benefit of broadband internet.
“Our
partnership with OATS illustrates The Humana Foundation’s commitment to health
equity and addressing the social determinants of health,” said Walter D. Woods,
CEO of The Humana Foundation. “By enabling more seniors to use technology and
access high-speed internet, we can help seniors understand and access digital
health services and telemedicine, improving the quality of healthcare they
receive. Additionally, Aging Connected will help seniors combat loneliness and
increase their sense of social connectedness by engaging people safely at home.
We call on other community leaders, businesses, and philanthropic funders to
join us in committing to this important initiative.”
Older adults can call the Aging Connected hotline at (877)
745-1930 to get help from an OATS Senior Planet trainer to find low-cost
internet options in their area. OATS will be announcing additional private and public
partnerships in the future to help bridge the digital divide for older adults.
To
learn more about the findings from the report, please visit www.agingconnected.orgopens new window.
About OATS
Founded
in 2004, OATS is an award-winning social change organization that offers
technology programs, community training, and strategic engagements to shape the
future of aging. OATS applies a deep understanding of both aging and technology
to engineer innovative solutions for cities, foundations, and leading
corporations, shifting the narratives around aging and addressing the vital
needs of older adults. OATS is also the creator and sponsor of Senior Planet, a
national program that helps more than 30,000 Americans aged 60 and older thrive
in the digital world and use technology to improve their social engagement,
financial security, civic participation, health, and creativity. Its popular
content and learning website seniorplanet.orgopens new window has
more than one million visitors each year. OATS has received extensive press
coverage from PBS, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the TODAY Show,
NPR, The Economist, and many other
local, national, and international media outlets for its unique perspective on
aging in America.
About The Humana Foundation
The
Humana Foundation was established in 1981 as the philanthropic arm of Humana
Inc. (NYSE: HUM), one of the nation’s leading health and well-being companies.
Located in Louisville, Ky., the Foundation seeks to co-create communities where
leadership, culture, and systems work to improve and sustain positive health
outcomes. For more information, visit humanafoundation.orgopens new window.
Humana
and The Humana Foundation are dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility. Our
goal is to ensure that every business decision we make reflects our commitment
to improving the health and well-being of our members, our employees, the
communities we serve, and our planet.
View source version on businesswire.comopens new window: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210127005243/en/opens new window
John
Kim For OATS
jkim@skdknick.comopens new window
Leslie
Clements Humana Corporate Communications
lclements@humana.comopens new window
Source:
Humana Inc.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete