Exploring how telehealth policies impact mental health care for children in underserved areas
Official title: State Telehealth Policies and Mental Care for Children in Underserved Areas
Funded at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, INC. · NIH-11042204 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how telehealth rules affect kids' access to mental health services, especially in places where there aren't many professionals, and it aims to find ways to make sure all children can get the help they need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Canton, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $670,803 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH132551-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11042204 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years living in areas with a shortage of mental health professionals.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not reside in underserved areas or who do not require mental health services may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of state telehealth policies on the availability and use of mental health services for children, particularly in areas where mental health professionals are scarce. It aims to understand how the rapid adoption of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced access to care for children facing mental health challenges. By evaluating policies related to licensure, insurance coverage, and reimbursement, the study seeks to identify disparities in telehealth access and propose improvements for equitable service delivery. The findings could help shape future telehealth policies to better serve vulnerable populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance access to mental health care for children in underserved areas, leading to improved mental health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that telehealth can improve access to care, but this specific evaluation of state policies in relation to children's mental health is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, INC.
Canton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yu, Hao — Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, INC.
- Study coordinator: Yu, Hao
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.