Digital Health Trends 2024
Top 3 things you need to know
1. Americans' adoption of digital health continues to grow
%
Have adopted health-related apps
(+11% vs. 2022, +17% vs. 2021)
%
Have adopted health-related devices
(+10% vs. 2022, +18% vs. 2021)
Though fitness apps and wearables are most popular, usage of nutrition, sleep, and mental health apps is trending up.
Top health-related apps
Fitness 🏋️♂️
- 2021 40%
- 2022 45%
- 2024 40%
Nutrition / Weight Control 🥗
- 2021 21%
- 2022 21%
- 2024 23%
Sleep 😴
- 2021 16%
- 2022 21%
- 2024 23%
Mental Health 🧠
- 2021 13%
- 2022 16%
- 2024 18%
Top health-related devices
Fitness-oriented wearable 🏊
- 2021 30%
- 2022 29%
- 2024 28%
Smart home health device 🏠
- 2021 18%
- 2022 21%
- 2024 21%
Holistic wearable ⌚
- 2021 14%
- 2022 18%
- 2024 20%
Smart scale ⚖️
- 2021 14%
- 2022 15%
- 2024 19%
App adoption is particularly high among younger Americans, where as device adoption is similar across generations.
2. While Americans' adoption of digital health has grown, so have reservations about Big Tech in health.
Feelings about tech involvement in health & wellness
%
Totally fine with it
%
Okay with it
%
Have reservations
%
Don't want any involvement
While Big Tech in health can be useful, Americans are concerned about privacy and potential misuse of sensitive information.
I like the idea of having something help me learn about how my health is. I’m willing to share the information but also don’t want targeted ads bombarding me or my information to get public.
– Gen Z, Male
I do trust technology in the involvement of my health and wellness at certain point where they ask for regular data like times of sleep, intake of water, work hours, food etc… but I do not like apps or technology that asks more than what is required. I think that over-asking you goes over your own privacy as a customer.
– Millennial, Female
I’m concerned about government oversight into these devices. I do think they would be helpful to share with my medical professionals but don’t think the government has to know everything.
Technology is a great help in controlling various aspects of your own life, but would prefer not to be lumped together with others
– Baby Boomer, Female
Americans most trust HCPs and insurance companies with personal health data.
3. Despite their skepticism about Big Tech in health, there is strong potential for digital health tech.
%
want to see more technology in health & wellness management in the next 5-10 years
Regardless of whether or not they currently use digital health tech, the majority of Americans could see themselves using devices, apps, or telehealth services in the future
%
are open to adopting health-related devices
%
are open to adopting health-related apps
%
are interested in adopting telehealth services
The most important health metrics to track vary by generation.
Top 5 Metrics of Interest by Generation
GEN Z
- Sleep 😴 84%
- Fitness activity 🏃♀️ 83%
- Hydration 💦 79%
- Mental health 🧠 79%
- Vitamin / Mineral deficiency 🍊 78%
MILLENNIALS
- Sleep 😴 83%
- Fitness activity 🏃♀️ 81%
- Heart health 🫀 81%
- Stress 💭 79%
- Blood pressure 🩺 78%
Gen X
- Heart health 🫀 80%
- Blood pressure 🩺 79%
- Sleep 😴 76%
- Weight / BMI ⚖️ 71%
- Fitness activity 🏃♀️ 70%
- Vitamin / Mineral deficiency 🍊 70%
BOOMER+
- Heart health 🫀 80%
- Blood pressure 🩺 78%
- Sleep 😴 70%
- Weight / BMI ⚖️ 69%
- Fitness activity 🏃♀️ 67%
There is even potential for AI in digital health, particularly for fitness, diagnosis, and screening applications.
Interest in health devices / services / apps that use AI
%
Interested
%
Not sure
%
Not interested
Top 5 AI applications of interest
Among Americans interested in or unsure if interested in AI in health
%
AI-powered exercise / fitness apps
%
Analyze medical imaging for diagnosis
%
AI recommended tests and screenings
%
AI-powered nutrition apps
%
Virtual assistant to answer patient questions
In Conclusion...
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, 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.
This research was fielded in July 2024. We engaged with 1,012 Americans, aged 18+, nationally-representative. Previous Digital Health work referenced in this report was conducted in 2021 and 2022.
