Study: 26 percent are mobile health users

By Chris Gullo
11:12 am
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iTriage

iTriage: One of the relatively few health apps that boasts millions of users.

Some 26 percent of US adults used their mobile phones to access health information in the past year, according to a new Cybercitizen Health study by Manhattan Research. The number has nearly doubled from the 12 percent reported in 2010.

According to the study, looking up health information or reading health-related news remains the most popular mobile health activity. The survey polled 8,745 adults online and via phone during the third quarter of 2011.

Another interesting metric: 8 percent of consumers used prescription drug refill or reminder services on their mobile phones, up from 3 percent in 2011.

“Growth in mobile health is impressive, but still in line with our and several health stakeholders’ expectations,” stated Monique Levy, VP of Research at Manhattan Research in a press release. “The interesting part is when, how and from where mobile phones are being used. Getting these details will impact the success of mobile investments in 2011 and 2012.”

While not specifically mobile-related, worth noting that the report found some 56 million US consumers had accessed their medical information on an electronic health record (EHR) system maintained by their physician, with an additional 41 million expressing interest in doing so in the future.

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Read the press release after the jump.

PRESS RELEASE -- 26 percent of U.S. adults have used their mobile phones for health information or tools in the past 12 months, according to the new Cybercitizen Health® U.S. 2011 study from pharmaceutical and healthcare market research company Manhattan Research. The Cybercitizen Health® U.S. 2011 study of consumer digital health trends surveyed 8,745 U.S. adults (age 18 and over) online and on the phone in Q3 2011. The mobile health population has more than doubled since 2010, when 12 percent of consumers conducted health activities on their mobile phones.

Information-gathering, whether by searching for health information or consuming health news, remains the most common mobile health behavior. However, there has been an increase in consumers using their mobile phones to manage their care or treatment in the past year. For example, 3 percent of consumers used prescription drug refill or reminder services on their mobile phones in 2010, while 8 percent did so in 2011.

“Growth in mobile health is impressive, but still in line with our and several health stakeholders’ expectations,” said Monique Levy, Vice President of Research at Manhattan Research. “The interesting part is when, how and from where mobile phones are being used. Getting these details will impact the success of mobile investments in 2011 and 2012.”

About Cybercitizen Health® U.S. 2011

Cybercitizen Health® U.S. 2011 was fielded in Q3 2011 among 8,745 U.S. adults (age 18 and over) online and on the phone. More than 80 therapeutic categories are tracked in research, including patient and caregiver populations.

Additional topics covered in the research include:

How is the health web evolving and how can marketers leverage emerging online health audiences?

How does search and website behavior differ across the disease and treatment pathway?

What role is digital health playing at the point of care?

Do consumers want additional support and services from pharmacists and nurses?

Is social media adoption for health maturing?

How advanced are consumers in terms of recording and sharing their health measurements?

Which pain points related to digital on-going care represent the strongest opportunity for health stakeholders?

For more information, please email sales@manhattanresearch.com, call 1.888.680.0800, ext 2 or visit www.manhattanresearch.com/cch.

About Manhattan Research

Manhattan Research, a Decision Resources Group company, conducts annual research studies covering eHealth trends among healthcare professionals and consumers in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Broad research can be segmented by target specialist and therapeutic audiences. For more information please contact sales@manhattanresearch.com, call 1.888.680.0800, ext 2, or visit www.manhattanresearch.com.

About Decision Resources Group

Decision Resources Group is a cohesive portfolio of companies that offers best-in-class, high-value information and insights on important sectors of the healthcare industry. Clients rely on this analysis and data to make informed decisions. Please visit Decision Resources Group at www.DecisionResourcesGroup.com.

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