Studies from the Pew Internet and American Life Project again demonstrates that the American public is indeed interested in looking up their health information.
Whereas 29% of 18-29 year old cell phone owners sought health data in 2010, it has jumped to a whopping 42 percent in 2012.
For those cell phone owners more than age 65 (Seniors), the number gained from 8 percent in 2010 to 9% in 2012.
Owners of smartphones used health applications more than those with other types of phones, demonstrating “It’s the smartphone owners that ended up really focusing on in the analysis, because they’re so much more likely to use [their devices] to access health information.”
The Pew study analyzed who of the smartphone users were more apt to use health buy ventolin nebules online apps and showed that while 19% of smartphone owners have health apps overall, 22% of caregivers used them with 22% with medical crises occurring within the year and 21% for people suffering from chronic ailments.Those with health changes were more likely to use health apps.
In the 30-49 year old age group, 18% users in 2010 soared to 39%. This is really no surprise since this group is caring not only for their own health problems but those of their parents while still guardian of their children’s health.
The number of health apps available has exploded over recent years to an incredible number. According to MobiHealthNews, there were 2,993 of them in 2010 and have jumped to 13,619 in April 2012.
However, there are apps available that track glucose with time of day for diabetics, heart rate and blood pressure for hypertensive individuals, and for pain management with times of day when the pain manifests a pattern so that analgesics can be taken when needed instead of around-the-clock therapy.
Interestingly texting for health information did not seem as popular. “Only 9% of 2,581 mobile phone users surveyed used text messaging to retrieve health or medical information”. The breakdown showed African Americans,women and those between the ages of 30 and 49 the most likely to receive health information by text.
What experiences have you had with health apps? Have you downloaded any? How has that worked for you?
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