Digital Health Trends: Americans’ Interest
Continues to Grow
Here are the TOP 3 things you need to know
1. Adoption rates for digital health devices, apps, and services continue to grow as they become more prevalent in the everyday lives of Americans.
%
Have adopted health-related apps
(up 7% points vs. 2021)
%
Have adopted health-related devices
(up 6% points vs. 2021)
Apps that have seen the most growth include those for…
Fitness 💪
- 2021 40%
- 2022 45%
Sleep 💤
- 2021 16%
- 2022 21%
Mental Health 🧠
- 2021 13%
- 2022 16%
Devices that have seen the most growth include those for…
Smarthome health device 🏡
- 2021 18%
- 2022 21%
Holistic wearable ⌚
- 2021 14%
- 2022 18%
Smart Workout Equipment ?🏋️♀️
- 2021 8%
- 2022 11%
Adoption rates for both devices and apps are highest among Hispanic populations; this presents an opportunity given this population is underserved in the realm of US healthcare.
Pharmacy, health system, and
insurance apps are used by a quarter to one-third of Americans.
%
Pharmacy-related apps
%
Apps for insurance
%
Apps for health systems
Digital health services also continue to steadily grow; nearly 1/3 of American households now utilize telehealth for a variety of reasons…
The convenience of speaking with my doctor via telehealth makes it more likely for me to seek help over more minor issues as well as important issues.
Telehealth is more convenient and much easier for me than going to actual doctor’s offices. I have a lot of anxiety and being in my own personal space is much easier.
“Mostly because transportation and gas is getting expensive, I can’t go as many places anymore. Why spend money when I could be there via call?”
Hear it straight from patients!
2. Americans see continued opportunities for technology to support specific areas of health & wellness.
%
want to see more technology in health & wellness management in the next 5-10 years
Potential for future adoption is high, as many who don’t currently utilize health-related devices/apps/services are open to the idea. Among those who
are NOT currently using the following…
%
are open to adopting health-related devices
%
are open to adopting health-related apps
%
are open to adopting telehealth services
87% - Heart health 🫀
“A more advanced heart rate monitor that can alert of abnormalities.” – Male, Gen X
“Real time interaction. Like if you are having a heart attack it would know that and dial 9 1 1″ – Female, Millennial
“A device that gives blood pressure as well as pulse and EKG to see how you heart is working” – Male, Gen X
83% - Blood Pressure🩸
“An app to keep track of my blood pressure and report back to my doctor.” – Male, Millennial
“Not sure if they have it, but a monitor that registers you blood pressure and keeps records of your progress and maybe gives you pointers or tips to keep it lowered.” – Female, Boomer
“I think it would be a great to have a ring or necklace that collects information like blood pressure, temp, heart rate. Maybe even oxygen levels and even maybe glucose levels. And it would send a message to your phone if anything has gotten too high or low.” – Female, Boomer
81% - Sleep 💤
“I think a device that can more accurately measure sleep other than smart watches would be super useful. Maybe an eye mask would be good.” – Female, Millennial
“An app to track my sleep via my CPAP” – Male, Millennial
“One thing I would like that doesn’t exist yet that I know of, is a sleep monitor device that can monitor me without having to be on my bed or around my wrist. Something that can sit on the table beside my bed and hear my vital signs and monitor me regardless.” – Male, Millennial
Which technologies have seen the largest jump in interest since 2021?
Disease predisposition 😷 has increased from 60% to 65%
Fertility 🤰has increased from 35% to 42%
Looking at the data for desired health tech by age, heart health remains a top 5 interest for all generations, though #1 interests vary…
% Interest by age group
GEN Z
- Weight/BMI 🎛️ 88%
- Sleep 💤 86%
- Heart health 🫀 86%
- Fitness activity 💪 85%
- Hydration 💧 85%
MILLENNIALS
- Fitness activity 💪 92%
- Heart health 🫀 91%
- Sleep 💤 88%
- Hydration 💧 85%
- Weight/BMI 🎛️ 83%
GEN X
- Blood pressure 🩸 91%
- Heart health 🫀 90%
- Body temperature 🌡️ 81%
- Respiratory rate 🫁 80%
- Weight/BMI 🎛️ 79%
BOOMER+
- Heart health 🫀 80%
- Blood pressure 🩸 79%
- Blood sugar 💉 77%
- Blood oxygen 🩺 76%
- Fitness activity 💪 74%
3. While there is a strong desire for continued health technology advancement, lingering trust issues will need to be addressed, particularly for non-health manufacturers.
I like the technology. I don’t like how it can be hacked and my information can be obtained by somebody else.
I’m currently worried about privacy issues…who would be able to see the information, and would it be without my knowledge?
Right now, I’m not too comfortable letting companies have access to my health data. It’s personal, and to them, it’s simply money.
Hear it straight from patients!
A word on our approach
This study was conducted using our proprietary mobile-first, conversational based platform that allows for the capture robust quant data and emotive qualitative insights in real-time, all in one seamless experience. We’ve found that this approach facilitates greater disclosure on sensitive topics, and ultimately produces deeper, richer insights that can drive better business decisions.
Initial research was conducted in 2021; this follow-up study conducted in late 2022 included 1,019 Americans representing all adult ages 18+, ethnicities, and regions.
Click this link to see a demo of how our technology works…
