aarp mobile health survey
TRANSCRIPT
Living in Digital Times Focuses on Technology for Life’s Transitions
Mobile Health and the 50+An AARP Survey of Use and Interest
January 7, 2011
Mobile Health Disconnect
Age
Incidence of Chronic Illness
Use of Mobile Devices
High
Low
mHealth Gap
As Americans age, the incidence of chronic illness rises dramatically* o Four out of five
Americans over 50 years old suffer from at least one chronic condition
o Half of those 65-74 years old have two to four chronic conditions
Fewer older Americans own mobile-enabled healthcare devices**o 7% of the 50+ own a
smart phoneo 4% have used a mobile
device to share info with docso 11% have used a
mobile device to track their health
Those who need it most use it least
* “Chronic Care: A Call to Action,” AARP Public Policy Institute, 2009** “Mobile Technology, Health and Caregiving Among People 50 and Older,” AARP, Jan.7, 2011
All they see are barriers
Perceived Benefit or Barrier % AgreeCost too much to buy 74%Not be something I need 72%Cost too much to maintain 70%Invade my privacy too much 64%Be something I could rely on 46%Not be available to me 46%Give my family/friends peace of mind
45%
Be hard to learn how to use 44%Make me lose ability to do things myself
43%
Save me time 43%
Just 41% of the 50+ surveyed believed mobile health technologies would improve their health
“Mobile Technology, Health and Caregiving Among People 50 and Older,” AARP, Jan. 7, 2011. Shows top 10 of 17 items.
“Too expensive… Don’t need it… Hard to figure out…What’s the point?”
Barriers Benefits
Some Good News
Four in ten are somewhat/very interested in using a mobile device to track their health over time including measures such as weight, blood sugar and blood pressure
Four in ten are somewhat/very interested in using a mobile device to share health status with their healthcare provider
The 50+ may not use mobile devices much for their health, but they are interested
“Mobile Technology, Health and Caregiving Among People 50 and Older,” AARP, Jan.7, 2011
Niche Interest is High
Woman age 50+ (46%) are more likely than men (38%) to express interest in mobile devices to track health
African-Americans age 50+ (61%) and Hispanic Americans 50+ (59%) are more likely to be interested in using mobile technology to send health information to a health professional than white, non-Hispanic 50+ (34%)
People age 50 and older making more than $75,000 are more interested than those of lower incomes to track health with mobile device (51% v. 41% or less)
While only 7% of Caregivers use mobile devices to monitor the health of someone, 51% said they would be interested in it
“Mobile Technology, Health and Caregiving Among People 50 and Older,” AARP, Jan.7, 2011
mHealth & the 50+: Some Takeaways
Substantial barriers around perceived cost, usefulness, privacy and complexity
Use is low, but interest is higho Especially among women, ethnic minorities, those making
over $75,000 and Caregivers
An mHealth challenge for us all
