2012-11-07-皮尤-Mobile_Health_2012_29页_1mb

Mobile Health 2012 Summary

Core Content

This report, published by the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project in November 2012, explores the usage of mobile health technologies among U.S. adults. It highlights the increasing popularity of using smartphones and cell phones to access health information and the role of demographic and health-related factors in this trend.

Main Findings

Mobile Health Market Growth

• 85% of U.S. adults own a cell phone, with 53% owning smartphones.
• 31% of cell phone owners use their phones to look for health or medical information online, up from 17% in 2010.
• 52% of smartphone owners use their phones to search for health information, compared with 6% of non-smartphone cell phone owners.

Demographic Trends

• Smartphone owners are more likely to use their devices for health information.
• Younger adults (especially 18-29 and 30-49 years old), minorities (Latino and African American), and college graduates are more likely to seek health information via mobile.
• Women and those aged 30-64 are more likely to sign up for health text alerts.

Text Alerts for Health

• 80% of cell phone owners send and receive text messages.
• Only 9% of cell phone owners receive health-related text updates or alerts.
• Smartphone owners are more likely to receive such alerts (9% vs. 6% of other cell phone owners).
• Women, 30-64 year olds, and smartphone owners are more likely to have signed up for health text alerts.

Health Apps

• 19% of smartphone owners have at least one health app.
• Exercise, diet, and weight apps are the most popular types of health apps.
• Women, those under 50, with higher education, and higher income are more likely to have health apps.

Health Status and App Usage

• Individuals who have experienced a recent significant health change are more likely to use health apps.
• Caregivers, those with chronic conditions, and people who have faced a medical crisis are more likely to seek health information via mobile.

Key Information

• Survey Methodology: The study surveyed 3,014 adults in the U.S. using telephone interviews conducted in English and Spanish via landline and cell phones.
• Margin of Error: For the total sample, ±2.4%; for cell phone owners, ±3%; for health app users, ±7%.
• Supporting Organizations: The study was supported by the Pew Charitable Trusts and the California HealthCare Foundation.
• Health App Types:
  • Exercise, fitness, pedometer, or heart rate monitoring: 38%
  • Diet, food, calorie counter: 31%
  • Weight management: 12%
  • Other types include menstrual cycle tracking, blood pressure, pregnancy, blood sugar or diabetes, medication management, and various other niche apps.

Conclusion

The report shows a significant increase in mobile health usage since 2010, with smartphone owners leading the trend. While text alerts for health information remain underutilized, they are more common among certain demographic groups. Health apps are popular, especially among younger, more educated, and higher-income individuals, with the most common use being for exercise, diet, and weight tracking. Overall, mobile health is becoming an important tool for accessing health information, particularly among those with specific health needs or concerns.