Perspective on the Mobile Health Industry
By LeAnna J. Carey | Mar 16, 2011
As we know, there is a groundswell movement going on in the mobile health industry within the context of consumer empowerment. The use of mobile phone applications to track and improve one’s own health is on the rise according to a recent PricewaterhouseCoopers, Health Research Institute survey on the mhealth industry.
Some interesting facts from the study:
- More consumers, 20%, would monitor for fitness or wellbeing compared to 18% who would use mobile health devices to assist their doctor to monitor their health conditions.
- Even though surveys show women make most health decisions for the family, men are twice as likely as women to use their cell phone to get health related reminders.
- Even though most Americans are insured through group health policies, individual policy holders were more likely to buy mobile health applications and to pay out of pocket for electronic visits with physicians
Clearly, consumers see the value in mobile health applications to monitor their health and as the study suggested, this new industry opens up opportunities for new players and business models. To look at this study in greater detail, we invite you to listen to Lea Carey, TheHealthMaven, and Dr. Virginia Gurley, MD, the Founder of AuraViva as they discuss the industry from physician and entrepreneurial perspectives.