eMedCert: Data shows that the demand for health wearable products to count steps ranks first

One of the hottest areas of wearable computing devices is fitness trackers from Fitbit, Misfit, Jawbone, and Garmin. In 2014, sales of these devices reached 90 million, and users are very interested in using these devices to track their health. eMedCert researchers compiled some interesting data that reflects users' interest and demand for health wearable devices:

1. The annual size of the smart wearable health market will grow from US$2 billion in 2014 to US$41 billion in 2020, with a compound annual growth rate of 65%.

2. More than 80% of users said that an important advantage of wearable technology is that it makes medical care more convenient.

3. If it can reduce the cost of medical insurance, 68% of people are willing to wear wearable devices provided by their employers and allow anonymous data to be sent to data platforms.

4. In the first half of 2014, the global wearable bracelet market grew by 684% year-on-year.

5. Currently, one in five Americans already use some type of wearable computing device.

6.82% of wearable device users believe that this technology has improved their lives.

Although dedicated health wearable devices have increased people's interest in health tracking technology, Apple Watch and other general-purpose smartwatches will gain a large share of the health wearable market in the future. Research from 451 Research shows that consumer smartwatches will gradually become popular, while the number of users of dedicated health wearable devices will gradually decrease.

This is not surprising, as smartwatches can do more and also integrate health tracking apps. Health wearables are usually single-function. It is precisely because of this trend that Fitbit is also developing its own smartwatch. This will be an important part of Fitbit's planned $100 million IPO (initial public offering).

The study from 451 Research also shows the health and fitness features that users desire most. The "pedometer" feature ranks first, while "heart rate" and "blood pressure monitoring" also rank high.

The most interesting thing about this research is that there is a huge demand for the "pedometer" function. The pedometer market has been around for decades, but until recently, such pedometers were analog devices. After becoming digital devices, pedometers have become a must-have tool for people.

On June 1, 2012, I had triple bypass surgery. Since then, I have had to monitor my health very closely. I am required to walk at least 10,000 steps a day. Initially, I used an analog pedometer from Radio Shack. But when Jawbone products became available, I was able to get some wearable step and heart rate monitoring devices.

As a heart patient, I have a compelling reason to use health wearables. Although many people want to monitor their health, pedometers like waistbands are difficult to use. Until wearables that are easy to use came along, this changed. The biggest difference here is that previous pedometers were uncomfortable for the wearer and could only monitor specific movements, while current wearables can be worn for a long time in an accessible way.

When Fitbit, Jawbone, and other wearable health devices came onto the market, many people thought they were just a passing fad. However, these products have already had a real impact, not only for people who exercise regularly, but also for mainstream users. I recently came across an article in The New Yorker by David Sedaris. In it, he talks about his love and hate for Fitbit. He half-jokingly describes how he keeps trying to beat his previous walking record. The article is interesting:

"I looked back at the days when I was only doing 30,000 steps a day, and I thought, how lazy can you get? When I got to 35,000 steps a day, Fitbit sent me a badge. Then I got to 40,000 and 45,000, and then 60,000 steps a day, which is 25.5 miles. At 77 years old, with a backpack on, that takes nearly nine hours of walking."

The most important thing about Fitbit and other health wearables is that they make people pay attention to exercise. Using health wearables, whether dedicated devices or smart watches, can make health tracking an organic part of people's lifestyle. One of the features of Apple Watch reminds me to stand up and walk every two hours. This has become a habit of mine. In the past, I often stayed at my desk for hours without leaving my chair.

Health wearables are more than just a trend. Some dedicated devices can monitor steps and calories burned, and the price is affordable for ordinary people. Smart watches are becoming a more important wearable device. These watches integrate health tracking applications and have more functions.

However, I think it will be the health industry that will push health wearables to become mainstream tools. According to Orange Healthcare, 88% of physicians want patients to monitor their health at home. Health management organizations and health insurance companies also want wearables to be part of future medical plans. An executive at a health management organization once told me that it costs less to keep people healthy than it does to treat them after they get sick.

According to IDC Health Insights, by 2018, 70% of healthcare organizations worldwide will invest in consumer-oriented technologies, including apps, wearables, remote monitoring tools, and virtual healthcare. According to CDW Healthcare, wearable technology will reduce healthcare costs by up to 16% in five years, and remote monitoring technology will help our healthcare system save $200 billion in the next 25 years.

Lowering the price of medical insurance and cutting medical costs will be the real reason for the continued development of wearable health devices. US President Obama's health care reform plan has made people, at least Americans, pay more attention to their health. If health wearable devices are strongly recommended by doctors and health insurance companies, more people will use this technology and it will become part of their daily lives.

Therefore, this technology, whether it is a dedicated device or a smartwatch, will continue to develop and become an important part of the future advancement of wearable computing devices.

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