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Mississippi Value:
Percentage of households with adults age 65 and older that have a broadband internet subscription and a computer, smartphone or tablet
Mississippi Rank:
Percentage of households with adults age 65 and older that have a broadband internet subscription and a computer, smartphone or tablet
90.8% - 89.0%
88.9% - 86.5%
86.4% - 84.9%
84.8% - 83.8%
83.7% - 77.6%
US Value: 86.5 %
Top State(s): Nevada: 90.8 %
Bottom State(s): West Virginia: 77.6 %
Definition: Percentage of households with adults age 65 and older that have a broadband internet subscription and a computer, smartphone or tablet
Data Source and Years(s): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 1-Year Dataset, 2023
Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 1-Year Dataset, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2026.
High-speed or broadband internet is an important resource for work, education and effective communication. Researchers have identified access to high-speed internet as a social determinant of health. Many essential services require an internet connection, including telemedicine and telehealth, which have become increasingly common since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Older adults can benefit from broadband access in other ways, as it facilitates social connectedness and enables access to news, information and essential services. Some studies have found that technology such as smartphones and social networking sites may help combat loneliness among older adults. Despite its necessity, barriers to accessing high-speed internet remain, including cost and deficient infrastructure.
Populations of older adults more likely to lack high-speed internet access include:
State policies and strategies to improve broadband internet access include:
The National Council on Aging lists several organizations and resources that provide internet services and technology education for older adults. AARP highlights programs available to help older adults access the internet, and the Aging Connected program helps older adults find low-cost internet options.
Healthy People 2030 has a goal to increase the proportion of adults with broadband internet access.
Amundsen, Diana. “Digital Technologies as a Panacea for Social Isolation and Loneliness among Older Adults: An Intervention Model for Flourishing and Wellbeing.” Video Journal of Education and Pedagogy 5, no. 1 (January 11, 2021): 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1163/23644583-00501008.
Bauerly, Brittney Crock, Russell F. McCord, Rachel Hulkower, and Dawn Pepin. “Broadband Access as a Public Health Issue: The Role of Law in Expanding Broadband Access and Connecting Underserved Communities for Better Health Outcomes.” The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics 47, no. S2 (June 2019): 39–42. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073110519857314.
de Wit, Kathryn. “How State Policy Shapes Broadband Deployment.” Issue Brief. Pew Research Center, December 17, 2019. https://pew.org/2tr3DYp.
Early, Jody, and Alyssa Hernandez. “Digital Disenfranchisement and COVID-19: Broadband Internet Access as a Social Determinant of Health.” Health Promotion Practice 22, no. 5 (September 1, 2021): 605–10. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248399211014490.
Julien, Howard M., Lauren A. Eberly, and Srinath Adusumalli. “Telemedicine and the Forgotten America.” Circulation 142, no. 4 (July 28, 2020): 312–14. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.120.048535.
Lee, Euny C., Violanda Grigorescu, Idia Enogieru, Scott R. Smith, Lok Wong Samson, Ann B. Conmy, and Nancy De Lew. “Updated National Survey Trends in Telehealth Utilization and Modality (2021-2022).” Issue Brief No. HP-2023-09. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, April 2023. https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/7d6b4989431f4c70144f209622975116/household-pulse-survey-telehealth-covid-ib.pdf.
Older Adults Technology Services, Inc. and Humana Foundation. “Aging Connected: Exposing the Hidden Connectivity Crisis for Older Adults,” January 27, 2021. https://agingconnected.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Aging-Connected_Exposing-the-Hidden-Connectivity-Crisis-for-Older-Adults.pdf.
Sen, Keya, Gayle Prybutok, and Victor Prybutok. “The Use of Digital Technology for Social Wellbeing Reduces Social Isolation in Older Adults: A Systematic Review.” SSM - Population Health 17 (March 1, 2022): 101020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.101020.
Suran, Melissa. “Increased Use of Medicare Telehealth During the Pandemic.” JAMA 327, no. 4 (January 25, 2022): 313. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2021.23332.
Yu, Kexin, Shinyi Wu, and Iris Chi. “Internet Use and Loneliness of Older Adults Over Time: The Mediating Effect of Social Contact.” Edited by Deborah Carr. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B 76, no. 3 (February 17, 2021): 541–50. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbaa004.
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