Review Article
Legal and regulatory pathways for telehealth and artificial intelligence in rural health care: implications for access, ethics, and global health equity
AUTHORS
David Bamide Olawade8,9,10 
Don Eliseo Lucero-Prisno III13,14,15 PhD, Associate Professor
AFFILIATIONS
1 Department of Pharmacy, R. P. Shaha University, Naryanganj 1400, Bangladesh
2 Department of Law, R. P. Shaha University, Naryanganj 1400, Bangladesh
3 Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Nigeria
4 Department of Medicine, Public Health and Maritime Transport, University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece
5 SIMAD Institute for Global Health, SIMAD University, Mogadishu, Somalia
6 Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SIMAD University, Mogadishu, Somalia
7 College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
8 Department of Allied and Public Health, School of Health, Sport and Bioscience, University of East London, London, United Kingdom
9 Department of Research and Innovation, Medway NHS Foundation Trust, Gillingham, United Kingdom
10 Department of Public Health, York St John University, London, United Kingdom
11 Office of the University President, Biliran Province State University, Naval, Leyte, Philippines
12 Office of the University President, Mountain Province State University, Bontoc, Mountain Province, Philippines
13 Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
14 Office for Research, Extension and Innovations, Bukidnon State University, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, Philippines
15 Research Office, Palompon Institute of Technology, Palompon, Leyte, Philippines
ACCEPTED: 29 January 2026
Early Abstract:
Rural healthcare systems globally face persistent challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, professional healthcare shortages, and limited access to preventive services, affecting over 3.4 billion people worldwide. The integration of telehealth and artificial intelligence (AI) presents transformative opportunities to address these disparities while promoting global health equity. This review examines the integration of telehealth and AI technologies in rural healthcare settings, evaluating the legal frameworks and implementation strategies, and their potential to advance global health equity. A comprehensive narrative review was conducted by examining peer-reviewed literature, policy documents, and case studies from multiple databases. The key themes included telehealth applications, AI innovations, legal and regulatory frameworks, and implementation challenges in rural settings. Telehealth significantly improves healthcare accessibility through remote consultations, patient monitoring, and mobile health solutions, particularly benefiting maternal and child health. AI-powered diagnostic tools, predictive analytics, and precision medicine enhance clinical decision-making in resource-constrained settings. However, its implementation faces substantial barriers, including digital literacy gaps, infrastructure limitations, data privacy concerns, and regulatory inconsistencies. Legal frameworks must evolve to address licensing requirements, data protection standards, and interoperability, while ensuring equitable access. Successful integration requires comprehensive legal frameworks, targeted technological investments, and community-driven capacity-building initiatives. Collaborative efforts among policymakers, healthcare providers, and technology developers are essential to harness the transformative potential of these technologies. Addressing digital divides and establishing robust regulatory frameworks are crucial for achieving sustainable and equitable healthcare delivery in rural communities globally.
Keywords: artificial intelligence, digital health, health equity, legal frameworks, telehealth.