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A groundbreaking study by the University of Michigan has revealed that counties in the United States with higher internet access had significantly lower COVID-19 death rates during the early months of the pandemic. According to the research, broadband connection played a crucial role in reducing both mortality and incidence rates of the virus.
The study, published in SSM—Population Health, found that U.S. counties with better internet access saw 48% to 53% fewer new COVID-19 deaths and 19% to 34% fewer cases per 100,000 residents compared to counties with lower internet access. This research highlights the significant impact of internet availability in the summer and early fall of 2020, a critical period when the world was still grappling with the unknowns of the novel coronavirus.
“I was struck by the magnitude of the difference that internet access made in reducing rates of COVID-19 cases and deaths,” said Spencer Allen, a doctoral student in sociology at the University of Michigan and the study’s lead author. “This is the first paper to focus on the relationship between internet access and COVID-19 outcomes in the early stages of the pandemic.”
Beyond the reduction in deaths, the study also found that residents in counties with higher internet access were more likely to report following COVID-19 protective measures, such as mask-wearing, and fewer new cases were reported in these counties from July to October 2020.
The research underscores the growing recognition of the internet as a critical “social determinant of health.” During the early days of the pandemic, the internet served as an essential tool, providing timely access to information about protective measures, symptoms, and available medical care. It also enabled people to work remotely, continue their education, and access telehealth services.
“Like many Americans, I first learned about COVID-19 and how to protect myself from the virus online,” Allen remarked. “But I also knew that not everyone could access the internet. This disparity in internet access made me wonder: Did parts of the country with higher internet access fare better during the pandemic than those with lower access?”
Despite concerns about misinformation online, Allen’s study highlights the overall positive influence the internet had on public health during the crisis, particularly in facilitating access to critical health information and reducing the need for physical exposure.
However, the study also points out a stark reality: in 2020, nearly 20% of U.S. adults lacked broadband access, with rural and low-income areas disproportionately affected. These gaps contributed to uneven health outcomes across the country during the pandemic.
“Internet access is not just a commodity—it’s a lifesaving resource,” Allen stressed. “It helps people access health information, connect with medical teams, and maintain social ties. Recent federal efforts to improve internet access are encouraging, but these programs are vulnerable to political shifts, leaving millions without reliable broadband.”
The study also calls attention to the importance of ensuring universal access to the internet. A recent decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit weakened the Federal Communications Commission’s ability to enforce net neutrality, a move that could exacerbate the digital divide.
Allen argues that simply having internet access is not enough if it’s not accessible in its entirety. “Congress must act to guarantee free and equal access to the internet for every American.”
Looking forward, Allen plans to further explore the relationship between internet access and mortality, using pre-pandemic data to investigate whether the link between broadband access and health outcomes extends beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
The full study, titled Broadband Internet Access as a Social Determinant of Health in the Early COVID-19 Pandemic in U.S. Counties, is available in SSM – Population Health (2025).
