New research: Americans more likely to use apps for virtual healthcare visits
Mobile app experience company Airship released new research on how people are turning to mobile apps to support their health and well-being this year.
Across three countries — U.S., U.K. and France — 81% of consumers plan to use apps with smartphones or wearables to improve their health and well-being in 2023. The top three ways they’ll do that are by connecting with friends and family more (27%), working out (26%) and improving sleep (17%).
Younger generations are significantly more inclined to use apps for health and wellness, with Gen Z showing the highest intent at 94%, followed by millennials at 90%, Gen X at 82% and boomers at 65%.
Household income levels also impacted how people plan to use apps for wellness in the U.S., U.K. and France. Nearly a quarter (23%) of respondents in low-income households indicate they don’t plan to use them; however, adoption rates across the 11 health/wellness app-enabled activities are remarkably similar across income levels. This suggests apps have democratized access to a broad range of beneficial services.
Additional insights from U.S. respondents included the following:
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Americans are more apt to turn to apps for virtual doctor visits this year (15%), versus the U.K. (7%) and France (10%). With a strained healthcare system and the threat of a triple pandemic in the U.S., virtual care helps alleviate some of the pressure.
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More Americans use apps for nutrition/diet purposes than improving sleep, whereas the opposite is true for the U.K. and France.
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Ten percent of Americans plan to use apps for biometrics and heart monitoring. Boomers were least likely to use them at 7%, while millennials reported nearly double the rate (13%). February is American Heart Month, and these findings show opportunity for more education and adoption, especially among older adults that statistically face higher risk of heart disease.
“Life gets better with better mobile app experiences, and for most people this literally applies to their health and well-being,” said Thomas Butta, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer, Airship. “Brands that earn a place in customers’ regular regimes can build enduring loyalty based on mutual respect and value.”