Health Tracking Devices Top Holiday Gift Lists, But 38% of Consumers Find Them Confusing

DALLAS, Dec. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Health tracking devices are on the "it list" this season for holiday gifts, but despite double digit growth in consumer usage, many Americans say devices aren't helping them manage their health. According to an October 2015 HealthMine survey of 502 consumers, 38% are confused about what their lifestyle/behavioral health data means, and only 42% know what actions they need to take after looking at this data.

The information collected by fitness trackers, nutrition logs, blood pressure sensors and other emerging behavioral and lifestyle health technologies can offer vital insight into a consumer's health status. But according to HealthMine's survey, this health data remains siloed; 39% of consumers are unable to access all of their clinical and behavioral health data from a single source.

Connecting this information to clinical data—medical records, labs, claims, pharmacy history—can inform a more complete picture of an individual's health. It can also facilitate more personalized healthcare. However, 45% of consumers have never tried to share their self-collected data with their providers. In fact, 37% are not even sure that they own their behavioral/lifestyle data:

Bryce Williams, CEO and President of HealthMine said, "Millions of people are now collecting terabytes of continuous health data. It has the potential to illuminate health, yet consumers remain in the dark." He continued: "When lifestyle and behavioral information remains disconnected from clinical data, consumers, plan sponsors and providers are all left with missing pieces. But if we can unify this data, help people understand what it means and what they should do about it, then technology can deliver on its promise--to empower people to take charge of their own health."

About the Survey
The HealthMine survey queried 502 consumers planning to enroll in a 2016 health plan and was fielded by Survey Sampling International (SSI) in October 2015. 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, a leading consumer health engagement company, has developed the wellness industry's first and only Personal Clinical Engagement technology platform. HealthMine empowers individuals to make meaning of their health information by automatically collecting clinical data, identifying risk for chronic disease, and setting health goals. Making it easy for consumers to manage their own health, HealthMine provides a personalized health portal available on any device, and delivers tailored recommendations, resources and incentives.  HealthMine has more than one million users, and has saved employers and payers more than $100 million in healthcare costs. The company, founded in 2008, is based in Dallas, Texas with offices in San Francisco, New York and Minneapolis.

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SOURCE HealthMine