A new report by the Pew Research Center paints a promising future for digital health technology – but that future isn't here yet.
The report, released on Jan. 28, indicates nearly 70 percent of Americans surveyed are keeping track of their health or the health of a loved one, measuring such data as weight, diet, exercise or other health indicators. However, of that number, only 21 percent are using technology such as smartphone apps or digital devices.
The survey indicates that while awareness of one's vital signs and health data is high, few are taking advantage of digital devices to chart that data.
The survey of 3,014 adults was conducted between August and September of 2012 by Princeton Survey Research Associates for the Pew Internet & American Life Project, an initiative of the Washington D.C.-based Pew Research Center. Support was provided by the California HealthCare Foundation.
According to the survey, 60 percent track weight, diet or exercise routines, while 33 percent track other health indicators like blood pressure, sleep patterns or headaches and 12 percent track health indicators for a loved one. Taking into account those who answered yes for more than one of the three categories, the total comes out to 69 percent of survey respondents who are keeping track of some health indicator.
Of that number, 49 percent said they are keeping track "in their heads," while another 34 percent said they're using paper, like a notebook or journal.
According to the survey, people living with one or more chronic conditions aren't any more likely to track their weight, diet or exercise routines than other U.S. adults, but they are far more likely to keep track of other health indicators or symptoms. According to the survey, 40 percent of those with one chronic condition are trackers, while 62 percent of those with two or more chronic conditions are keeping track of their health. Conversely, only 19 percent of those who report having no chronic conditions are tracking their health.
Surveys indicate roughly 45 percent of Americans live with at least one chronic condition. Of those living with more than one chronic condition, 78 percent have high blood pressure and 45 percent are diabetic – two conditions that can be managed with a considerable amount of success through self-tracking.
The survey's bad news for digital health advocates extends to the chronic condition population as well. Only 22 percent of people with two or more chronic conditions are tracking with a medical device (such as a glucometer), while only 7 percent of people with one chronic condition and only 2 percent of people with no listed chronic conditions are doing so. In the three categories, the number of people who say they keep track "in their heads" is listed at 37 percent, 48 percent and 54 percent, respectively.
According to the survey, 49 percent of those tracking their health said they update their records only occasionally, while 46 percent do so on a regular basis. In addition, 34 percent said they share their notes with someone else, either offline or online, and more than half of them share with a clinician.
Finally, the report indicates those who are keeping track of their health say such actions have had an impact. Of those living with two or more chronic conditions, 56 percent say it "has affected their overall approach to maintaining their health or the health of someone they help care for, while 53 percent say it has led them to ask questions of their doctor or to seek a second opinion and 45 percent say it has affected how they treat an illness or condition.
