A digital lifeline: Evaluating the impact of a program providing ruggedized internet routers to hispanic farmworkers in North Carolina

Introduction: Access to reliable internet is recognized as a social determinant of health, yet many migrant and seasonal farmworkers in North Carolina (NC) face barriers to connectivity due to rural housing locations and limited infrastructure. In response to these challenges, the NC Farmworker Health Program implemented a pilot program that installed ruggedized internet routers in employer-provided farmworker housing where other internet options were not available to improve digital inclusion and telehealth access.

Methods: This qualitative study evaluated the program four years after implementation through interviews with Hispanic farmworkers (n=9) and farm owners (n=5), internet performance tests, and site observations at participating NC farms in 2024.

Results: Findings showed that internet access fostered communication with family among Hispanic farmworkers. However, there were significant programmatic challenges, including weak or limited signal range, poor internet speed, lack of privacy, minimal cybersecurity, and low awareness of telehealth services. Farm owners supported the program but expressed concerns about sustaining it without continued funding due to performance limitations and costs.

Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of sustainable, high-quality internet in rural farmworker housing and suggest a need for expanded support, improved performance, and greater education around tools such as telehealth to address inequities that agricultural communities face.