42% of Consumers Using Digital Health Data Say Their Data Goes Nowhere: HealthMine Report

DALLAS, May 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Using digital health tools in primary care could save the US healthcare system $10 billion annually, according to Accenture. But nearly half (46%) of Americans who use digital health tools say the data collected by these tools is not incorporated into their healthcare. Despite the growing adoption of activity trackers, smart watches, health applications and other internet-connected health technologies, 42% of digital health users say the data gathered by these tools goes nowhere. The findings are based on a survey of 500 people who use digital health tools. The results are now available in the HealthMine Digital Health Report: The State and Impact of Digital Health Tools.

As the aging population and prevalence of chronic disease in America grows, internet-connected health devices and applications (apps) can help support primary and specialty healthcare. Digital health tools can also improve consumers' direct visibility into and control over their vital health metrics and ongoing healthcare needs.

There are now nearly 165,000 health-related apps that run on Apple's iOS and Google's Android. PwC, a consulting firm, forecasts that by 2017 such apps will have been downloaded 1.7 billion times. Add to that 10 million activity trackers and 7 million smart watches shipped by the end of 2014 (ABI Research), as well as a growing crop of other internet-connected health devices. These tools have the potential to help consumers become more engaged in their own health. They can also facilitate more convenient and cost-effective healthcare. However, digital health tools have not reached their full potential.

Here are the key findings from HealthMine's report:

Top Findings

+ Usage/Adoption:

The most popular digital health tools today are fitness and exercise apps (50%). Disease management, smoking cessation and telemedicine have the lowest adoption of all digital health tools.

+ Data Access:

75% of consumers who use mobile/internet-connected health applications are willing to share the data they collect with their doctor/healthcare provider, but only 32% say this happens automatically.

+ Electronic Health Records:

60% of digital health users say they have electronic health records (EHRs), but only 22% use them to help make medical decisions.

+ Telemedicine:

93% of consumers who used telemedicine say it lowers their healthcare costs, but 39% of digital health users still haven't even heard of telemedicine.

+ Impact:

76% who use digital health tools say they improve health, and 57% say digital health tools lower their healthcare costs.

+ Wellness Programs:

52% of digital health users are enrolled in a wellness program, and 33% received their health app/device from their wellness program. But while 59% suffer from a chronic condition, only 7% of these individuals are using a disease management tool.

Bryce Williams, CEO and President of HealthMine said, "Digital Health is still crossing the chasm from lifestyle and fitness management to chronic disease and holistic healthcare management." He continued, "Digital analysis of health data can provide an early warning detection system for individuals and plan sponsors.  Finding a person with pre-diabetes, for example, can lead to an improved outcome and lower cost for the member and the plan sponsor."

The full report can be downloaded at http://www.healthmine.com/healthmine-digital-health-report.

About the Survey

The HealthMine Digital Health Survey queried 500 consumers who use digital health tools and are enrolled in a 2016 health plan. The survey was fielded by Survey Sampling International (SSI) in March/April 2016. Data were collected via an opt-in panel. The margin of error is 4%. Survey Sampling International (SSI) has been the Worldwide Leader in Survey Sampling and Data Collection Solutions, across every mode, for 37 Years.

About HealthMine

HealthMine is a leading healthcare technology company with the mission to empower everyone to own their health. HealthMine has created an unparalleled Personal Clinical Engagement technology platform that makes it easy for members to manage their health because they know: 1) where they stand, 2) what they need to do, and 3) what's in it for them. The platform works by automatically intaking each member's clinical and behavioral health data, and analyzing it through a rigorous, clinical rules engine. HealthMine identifies healthy, at-risk, and chronically sick individuals in a population, uncovering health risks that often go unnoticed. Applying deep understanding of a member's health, lifestyle and behavioral patterns, HealthMine creates a dynamic, personalized health action plan and tracks outcomes. Serving more than one million members, HealthMine has saved employers and payers more than $100 million in healthcare costs. The company was founded in 2008 and is based in Dallas, Texas with offices in San Mateo, California, and Eatontown, New Jersey.

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SOURCE HealthMine, Inc.

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