Providing timely, data-driven insights that inform telehealth policy and practice

The demand for telehealth services continues to grow, especially in communities where transportation, provider shortages, and geographic isolation create barriers to care. Unfortunately, despite telehealth’s potential, more than 21 million Americans live in digital deserts, with 14 million residing in rural areas. Many lack broadband access or the digital literacy needed to navigate virtual platforms. Others, including older adults and people with disabilities, face additional challenges that current telehealth models often overlook.

The Telehealth Outreach and Policy for Rural and Underserved Populations (TOP-UP) Rapid Response Center. The center will conduct rapid, policy-relevant data analysis and research studies to assess how different telehealth modalities impact health outcomes, making it the country’s first HRSA-funded center specializing in this work.

Over this five-year, $3.875M grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), TOP-UP leaders will address critical gaps in national data to help evaluate the cost-efficiency and effectiveness of telehealth for preventing and managing chronic disease in medically under-resourced areas.

TOP-UP responds to this evolving landscape by conducting short-term, issue-specific research studies, leveraging national datasets, and providing advanced analytics that will help providers, policymakers, and the public understand the real-world impact of telehealth practices, policies, and regulations.

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Deputy Principal Investigator: Navneet Baidwan, Ph.D.
Co-investigators: Jeff Curtis, MD, MS, MPH; Bisakha Sen, Ph.D.
Scientist and Research Writer: Rebekah Kummer